Seniors cut back on health care in cost of living crunch

Almost half the senior community was living with major ongoing health concerns, a survey of 1,200 Australians over 50 found.

But they're a positive group with 57 per cent saying they're often or always in good physical and mental health.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the older population hard with 47 per cent saying they're still very or extremely concerned about contracting the virus.

The Cost of Health Report 2023 found 45 per cent of older Australians had "taken drastic measures" to make ends meet in response to the cost of living crisis.

University of Technology Sydney health economist Professor Emily Callander said "over 50s are clearly telling us that affordability is vital for them being able to access healthcare, and over half are having to skip care due to the cost".

"Sadly, they are having to miss out on preventive areas of healthcare - the very areas that are going to keep them in better health down the track," she said.

Almost a quarter of people said they had skipped or reduced dentist appointments and 21 per cent said they were buying less expensive healthy ingredients.

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Some of those surveyed, 14 per cent, said they were skipping or reducing regular GP visits and 11 per cent were skipping essential appointments.

The survey found 60 per cent of older Australians were completely or largely reliant on Medicare for health treatment.

And 49 per cent always used bulk-billed GPs, which has them waiting an average of seven days, for an appointment.

"We may see that the over 50s skipping care now results in serious issues for the health care system in the future - as they may end up needing more complex care due to preventable conditions," Professor Callander said.

More than seven in ten older Australians also say it was getting difficult to find doctors who provided sufficient bulk billing or an affordable payment gap.

"Healthcare affordability is an individual issue for the over 50s, but also for the entire healthcare system and society in general that ultimately funds it," Professor Callander said.