To everyone, I agree with all your comments. In any case, the aging population is not the burden the government would have people believe. Who would take care of granchildren when mothers have to go out to work and after school hours. Not all can afford child care, so grandparents step in, I know I do.

Voluntary services are mainly carried out by the older generation. What amount of money can you put on that.

And then there are the people who look after sick and invalided parents, children, friends that would otherwise be a burden on the government pocket. Not that there are places for most of these people to be cared for anyway. They have to be cared for at home, the government has made sure of that.

No, it seems to me it was a 'shift the blame game'. However, I heard Wayne Swan side-stepping quicker than a grannie at a barn dance this morning. Bit late though Mr. Rudd already put his foot well and truly in it... One day that man will say something worthwhile and keep a few promises. I hope.

Dear Mawsouth,

My apologies for not being able to respond
to you earlier - but I had used up all of
my posts on this thread.

However, I'm not "opting out," as you put it.
My retirement is still a long way off yet.
And it is unfortunate that the Intergenerational
Report did not suggest policy and social reforms
that would make it easier to cope with people's
longevity. That would have been more useful than
trivialising the problem merely with statistics -
that don't mean all that much. New government
policies and a shift in social attitudes is what's
needed.

My point to you was - to do something about your
"life-skills," if you want to contribute. Apart
from obtaining the necessary teaching qualifications -
you can also volunteer. Local Councils badly need
volunteers for all sorts of activities - from helping
out with "Men's Sheds," to homeless youth, to aged-care
and senior citizens. Then there's fostering of children,
assisting lecturers at University of Third Age programs,
and so on. All you have to do is enquire - in whatever
field appeals to you. Where there's a will - there's a
way.

I went on and studied full-time while holding down a
full-time job and raising a family - with my husband's
support - of course. I was determined to do it -
and I did.

We are living longer - as the report points out - and
extending the retirement age to 67 by 2023, is a step
in the right direction - people will still be able
to retire earlier. However, the key seems to be new
government policies and social reforms. Hopefully
these will come in due course.

Yes, an aging population should not be trivialised. However, from my experience the workplace, particularly public service and health is such an over bearing wear on the middle echelons, that's the work place - not upper management; they look after themselves, the employees cannot wait to get out if they get to the required retirement age. They have simply had enough of over bearing management, productivity without support as well as demeaning and bullying of some who cannot stand up for themselves, the public service and health system is fraught with this type of management style. It is rampant.

The governments, state and federal most likely the largest work force employer in this country, wonder why people will not stay in the workplace longer, it is the workplace management and style.
When you see you are no longer going to be used as a slave to the system and your super is to a level you might just be able to be unshackled, you grab your gear and get out without even a backward look or regret.

Many skilled, intelligent people would stay but not at the expense of their health and absolute lack of appreciation for their contribution and future contribution. I do not exaggerate. There are no bonuses, nor social networking, support from 'human resource units' normally called personnel units in non existant, it is all a 'them against us' in health and the public service.

And I cannot emphasise enough how much I hate the term "Human Resource Unit". It sounds like something out of a medical horror or science fiction novel.

Medicos are also bullied and undervalued and leave the public hospital system, it's the reason for the loss of numbers of qualified medicos in this country. They go private or overseas where they can be their own boss and not be taken down by the health system. Why not, there is no incentive to stay.

So having got completely off the subject, no the aging population is undervalued...sorry.

Dear RaeBee,

I understand where you're coming from.
Many people feel the way you do.
However, I wonder how those same people
who left their places of work - and retired
early - would feel today - if they were
offered the opportunity to return to work
again either full or part time?

I've heard so many stories from various people
that retirement is not all that it's cracked
up to be. And - "If you don't use it you lose it!"
They miss the adult contact - and the mental
stimulation. As a matter of fact, a work colleague of my
husband's retired early - and after a few years -
he went down hill - mentally and physically.
Today - his friends don't recognise him.

I think it's a question probably - of changing
direction. If you're not happy in a particular job -
leave and find another - re-train if you need to -
but do something about it - don't just stay in a
miserable situation. Retirement will come soon
enough - but be sure that's what you really want.
And are ready for it. Don't just do it because
you're stuck in a job you don't like. Retirement
will be for the rest of your life - and once done -
it's hard to change things.

So what am I ASKING
That for 40 minutes of a students "time constrained week" they be given the challenge of teaching modern communications to seniors

* individual students or a class would connect to a pool of seniors
* ask questions to ascertain what the senior would like to learn
* explore the seniors experience and language base to gain ideas
* or create a common language set from shared ideas.
* Agree on the lesson format content and learning goals.
* create interactive lesson demonstrations
* or remote assist computer to computer
* get feedback from the senior on success or failure

Senior "profiles" to be available at a portal site and technology like "go to meeting" be used initiate the "voice conference" call.

the "portal" site will be the final repository for created lessons thus building a shared resource.

Students would add comments to a "Student View" to enable them to keep "like a blog" notes,and other information the senior has provided as a "resource" usable in other classes

This is only limited by the students record keeping, lateral thoughts, imagination and social skills.

seniors of differing opinions could be invited to take part in "conference debates" with the class on a subject.

Normally organizing such a visit face to face is impossible here this possible in "real time" to draw expertise from all over Australia.

Traditionally communities are limited by distance and constrained by time, but in this case we have created a useful construct of social interaction with minimal cost which benefits all parties.

It takes a community to fix a community problem.

so when you say "YOU SHOULD" mean "I CAN" and think of the benefit of this happening in EVERY SCHOOL in Australia
The technology is easy, built and tested it in REAL situations .
If you read my paper, you would see hardware costings and running costs.
Will YOU be a target to be "quizzed by a class". or be taught new tricks by an 8 yo, I am, but I am only 1 and I need 100,000 more

Dear Mawsouth,

Considering that there already exists
the "University of The Third Age,"
with a wide variety of programs for
mature-age people - or anyone
interested in acquiring news skills,
in a huge diversity of subjects - with
qualified teachers.
I can't see your suggestion being
taken up.

However - I wish you Good Luck - with
your attempt!

See you on another thread.