50 Years Caring About People

Many things have changed since the early 1970s, but a complete commitment to care remains central to our work.

We’re living longer, healthier lives

Back in the 1970’s, the average Australian could expect to live to age 71. By our Golden Jubilee year, average life expectancy is nearly 84. That’s an ‘old age bonus’ of almost 13 years. As well as living longer, we’re generally healthier too, thanks to medical advances, more effective disease control, better nutrition and more informed lifestyle choices. Living longer means we must think carefully about how we wish to spend those extra years.

We now have more options in how we live our older years

Fifty years ago, there wasn’t much choice in aged care. If you needed support, perhaps you couldn’t cook for yourself, or you simply didn’t want to live alone, you may have moved into a hostel.

Today, we are much more fortunate and there are more choices available. Home care offers support in your own home. Retirement villages offer safe, supported, independent living in a community of like-minded people. And if more around-the-clock care is needed, there is residential aged care.

Southern Cross Care made a deliberate decision to offer all three types of care, providing choice to as many people as we can.

These are testing times for all in aged care. With the rise in dementia and the ever-present threat of COVID-19, vigilance and constant improvement is always necessary. Guided by the Aged Care Quality Standards, our team is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of older people. With a five-decade foundation to build on, we’re prepared for whatever the next 50 years brings.