National Seniors Social Survey (Wave 7)

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Letitia McDowell
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1 National Seniors Social Survey (Wave 7) WELCOME TO OUR ANNUAL SURVEY AND THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING TO PARTICIPATE. Every year this survey provides valuable information that we use to present our members views to government and the media. This year we have some pages that are short with just one question and some that are a bit longer with multiple questions. There are also some places that you can type in your views if you wish to, but this is completely optional. You re free to skip any question you re not comfortable answering. The survey consists of the following sections: About you Technology and you Your experiences of aged care at home Your work, retirement and savings Your understanding of aged care At the very end of the survey we ask whether you d like to take part in a follow-up survey by or phone. You do not have to leave your personal details if you don t want to. The Participant Information Sheet is enclosed with this survey. Completing and submitting this survey is voluntary and will be taken as indicating that you consent to participate in this study. Please return your completed survey by mail to: Social Survey, National Seniors Research Team, 4/26 Bougainville St, Manuka, ACT 2603 If you have any questions, please call (02) or research@nationalseniors.com.au ABOUT YOU 1. Are you currently a National Seniors member? Yes No 2. Please tell us your age 3. And now please tell us what age you feel you are 4. Please state your gender Male Female Other 5. Which best describes your current marital status? Married De facto/living with partner Divorced/separated Widowed Single In a relationship but living apart 6. Do you have children? Yes No

2 7. Which of the following are applicable to your living situation? You may select more than one response. I live alone I live with my spouse/partner I live with my child/children and/or grandchildren I live with my parent(s), relative(s), or guardian(s) I live with a friend/friends I live with other adults I live in residential aged care 8. Which state or territory do you live in? NSW QLD WA ACT VIC SA TAS NT 9. Please enter your postcode. 10. Which best describes where you currently live? An independent house/unit/apartment/villa/granny flat A residential aged care home A retirement village Public or community housing An over-50s lifestyle village or a manufactured home park Currently travelling/caravan/mobile home YOUR RETIREMENT VILLAGE EXPERIENCES (if relevant) 11. Did you receive independent legal advice before entering a retirement village? Yes No, I didn t need it No, but I wish I did

3 12. Was the advice you received helpful? Yes No Undecided 13. Have your expectations of living in a retirement or lifestyle village been met? Please feel free to add any comments. Yes No 14. Is there anything you wish you d known before you entered your retirement/lifestyle village? Yes No Please feel free to add any comments. 15. Do you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander? Yes No 16. Do you identify as being from a culturally or linguistically diverse background (CALD)? Yes No 17. Were you born in Australia? Yes No 18. In which year did you arrive in Australia? 1950 or before or later 19. Do you identify as having a disability? Yes No 20. What is the highest level of primary or secondary schooling you have completed? Some primary school All of primary school Some secondary/high school 3 or 4 years of secondary/high school (intermediate, school certificate level) 5 or 6 years of secondary/high school (leaving, higher school certificate)

4 21. Have you completed education other than primary or secondary school? Yes No 22. When did you complete this other education? Please select all that apply. Straight after school or in my 20s In my 30s or 40s In my 50s or 60s In my 70s or later 23. What is the highest level of education that you have completed? Certificate (e.g. trade, apprenticeship, technician, advanced) Diploma Bachelor degree Postgraduate diploma/certificate Higher degree (e.g. Masters, PhD) 24. How many years of formal education would you say you have had in total? Please estimate the number of years. 25. Please indicate your health status at present Excellent Good Fair Poor Very poor 26. Consider the following statements about dealing with stress. Please say how much you agree or disagree with the following statements. I tend to bounce back quickly after hard times Strongly disagree Somewhat disagree Slightly disagree Slightly agree Somewhat agree Strongly agree I have a hard time making it through stressful events It does not take me long to recover from a stressful event It is hard for me to snap back when something bad happens I usually come through difficult times with little trouble I tend to take a long time to get over setbacks in my life

5 YOUR EXPERIENCES OF AGED CARE AT HOME 27. Many people express the wish to stay living at home as they get older, even if they need help with some of their daily tasks. We d like to know about any experiences you ve had with aged care at home, where someone comes in to help with tasks such as cleaning, cooking, transport or medical treatment. Please select any situation that applies to you, now or in the past. I help/ed someone (spouse, parent, friend or other) at home with tasks I get/got help at home with some tasks I have/had a spouse who gets help at home with some tasks I have/had a parent who gets help at home with some tasks I have/had a friend or other relative who gets help at home with some tasks I have no experience of this kind 28. Considering your experiences of providing care for someone at home/in their home (if relevant): Yes No Do you feel that your own health is/was being affected? Do you feel that you have/had the appropriate skills to do the job required of you? Please feel free to add any comments here: 29. Please estimate the number of hours per week that you provide/d aged care services to someone at home/in their home? 30. How is/was this help paid for? By the government Privately It is/was unpaid I don t know

6 31. Do you know the name of the government programme that this care comes under (if relevant)? I don t know/i m not sure Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) - home support including home maintenance and cleaning, meals and transport services Home Care Package Programme - home care including Level 1, 2, 3, and 4 packages Other, please specify: 32. Considering your experiences with aged care at home, would you agree that: Agree Disagree Not applicable Workers treated the household with respect The personal care and support met needs (e.g. clinical care, showering, household services) Workers explained things Workers know what they are doing and are well trained The person receiving care was encouraged to do as much as possible independently, and shown how to do it The service organisation is well run Care is well coordinated and connects with other health services (e.g. physiotherapy, podiatry, out- patients) The service organisation has/had a good relationship with the household Things could be done better or differently in my/our experience Consumer Directed Care is helping to meet more of my/our needs now Please feel free to leave any comments or tell us about any specific things that have happened.

7 33. Have you ever personally looked at the My Aged Care website? Yes No 34. Did you find what you were looking for on the My Aged Care website? Yes No 35. Have you asked someone to look at the My Aged Care website on your behalf? Yes No 36. Have you ever personally called the My Aged Care call centre? Yes No 37. Were the staff at the My Aged Care call centre able to assist you with your enquiry? Yes No 38. If you ve ever had an assessment for aged care (RAS or ACAT), did the process meet your expected needs? Yes No I haven t had an assessment Please feel free to add any comments here: 39. Have you heard of Consumer Directed Care? Yes No 40. Do you expect to have to deal with aged care issues for family members in the next 5 years? Yes No 41. Do you understand how consumer contributions for aged care are assessed? Yes No 42. Are you prepared to pay for your own aged care in line with your capacity to pay? Yes No 43. Do you feel that there are options available to you for making a complaint if you are not happy with your aged care? Yes No Don t know/not applicable Please feel free to add any comments here:

8 44. Have you heard of the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner? Yes No 45. Do you understand the role of the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency? Yes No I haven t heard of this 46. Have you heard of the Charter of Care Recipients Rights and Responsibilities for Home Care? Yes No 47. If you have anything else to tell us about your experiences with aged care or the My Aged Care website or call centre, please feel free to leave your comments here. TECHNOLOGY AND YOU 48. How long have you been using the internet? Please estimate the number of years. 49. What devices do you use to access the internet? Please select all that apply. A desktop computer A laptop or notebook A tablet A mobile phone Other, please specify: 50. Have you ever been the victim of an internet scam? Yes No Please feel free to add any comments here:

9 51. How would you rate your ability to do each of the following? Using word processing software like Microsoft Word Finding information online I can t do this Poor Acceptable Good ing Doing internet banking or paying bills online Using a smartphone 52. How comfortable are you doing any of the following? Very comfortable Somewhat comfortable Not comfortable Not applicable Using Self Checkouts at the supermarket Using an ATM Resolving minor issues with technical devices (e.g. computer, phone, TV) Online dating Online shopping 53. How often do you do each of the following? At least every day At least once a week At least once a month Rarely Never Use an internet search engine (e.g. google) Do banking online Access government services online e.g.mygov Send a text message Use Facebook Use LinkedIn

10 54. Do you use any of the following apps on a smartphone or tablet? Please select all that apply. I don t use apps Facebook LinkedIn Uber Instagram Twitter WhatsApp Skype Maps (e.g. google maps) An internet banking app A music app (e.g. spotify, itunes) An app (e.g. Yahoo, gmail, Outlook) A weather app Express Plus Centrelink app 55. Please say whether you agree or disagree with the following statements about using digital services in general: Agree Disagree I feel frustrated using digital services For some tasks, I prefer to interact online rather than face-to-face or on the telephone I would like more training using digital services I worry about the privacy of my information online Mobile phone and internet costs prevent me from using digital services Digital services are designed for younger generations than mine There is a digital divide between generations Digital services make my life easier I would always prefer to talk to a person rather than use a machine Please feel free to add any comments here:

11 YOUR WORK, RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS 56. What are your current sources of income? Please select all that apply. Wages/salaries Business income Full Age Pension Part Age Pension Disability Support Pension Carer Payment Other Government income support Superannuation Returns on investment, savings (excluding superannuation) 57. Are you currently doing any volunteer work? Yes No 58. How many hours of volunteer work would you estimate that you do per week? 59. Please choose the best description of your current employment arrangement. Homemaker Employed or self-employed 0-30 hours per week Employed or self-employed 30+ hours per week Unemployed Retired Permanently unable to work 60. Please consider the following statements about retirement and select the one that best applies to you: I chose to retire and and am happy to be retired I chose to retire but would like to be still working I didn t choose to retire but I m happy to be retired I was forced to retire 61. What age were you or do you expect to be when you retire? Please enter a valid age in numbers or write NA if not applicable to you.

12 62. Which of the following best describes the value of the savings and investments that you expect to have when you retire, or did have when you retired? This includes superannuation and other investments but excludes the family home, cars, etc. Less than $50,000 AUD More than $50,000 but less than $100,000 More than $100,000 but less than $200,000 More than $200,000 but less than $300,000 More than $300,000 but less than $500,000 More than $500,000 but less than $750,000 More than $750,000 but less than $1,500,000 More than $1,500,000 Don t know Would rather not say 63. At this stage of life, do you regret that you didn t contribute more to super or retirement savings? Yes No It wasn t an option for me 64. Which of the following types of super funds do you use for your super and/or retirement savings? Please select all that apply. Industry super fund Public sector super fund Retail super fund Self-managed super fund Corporate super fund Can t say 65. Which of the following best describes your housing situation? I own my home outright I own my home with a mortgage I own my home with a reverse mortgage I m renting I live in my accommodation rent-free I live in residential aged care 66. Which of the following best describes the current estimated value of your home? Up to $250,000 AUD Up to $500,000 AUD Up to $750,000 AUD Up to $1,000,000 AUD $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 AUD More than $2,000,000 AUD Don t know Would rather not say

13 67. Consider the following statements about your savings and finances in retirement and rate their importance to you. Please select the appropriate box: Regular, constant income that covers my essential needs Income that adjusts to rising prices (or inflation) over time Savings that can be withdrawn when needed Not at all important Not very important Neutral Somewhat Important Very Important Ensuring that my money lasts for my lifetime Leaving the family home to the children/ estate Leaving other assets or investments to the children/estate Being able to afford aged care and medical costs Protecting myself from short term falls in the market Earning higher interest on savings 68. Do you ever worry that you may outlive your savings and investments? Yes, frequently Yes, occasionally I used to, but not now No Can t say 69. Consider the following statements about leaving an inheritance (other than the family home) for the next generation. Please choose the response that best describes your situation. Leaving an inheritance is very important to me and I will minimise spending in retirement to ensure I can leave something I want to preserve some savings for an inheritance but also spend some of my savings during retirement over I will spend most of my savings during retirement and leave something behind if there s any left I will spend all of my savings during retirement I have no one to leave an inheritance to I have no savings 70. When thinking about investing your retirement savings, what is more important? Regular and stable income Higher level of average returns Don t know/can t say 71. When thinking about an income stream in retirement, which would you prefer? Potentially higher income Income that lasts for life Don t know/can t say

14 72. Assuming that your income stream will last throughout your retirement, what is your preference for the variability of your regular income? Fixed and not variable at all Highly variable but should average out to be higher than either of the above options Can vary from month to month but should average out to be higher than the fixed payments Don t know/can t say 73. Statistics indicate that life expectancies are increasing. Considering the possibility that you will live a longer life, please indicate what is/was important to you when making plans for your retirement: Financial planning (e.g. extra contributions to super, purchasing an annuity, savings and investments) Accommodation/housing plans, e.g. downsizing Lifestyle and travel Keeping fit and healthy, e.g. diet and exercise Medical, e.g. health insurance, regular checkups Staying positive about getting older Maintaining social contacts Making a contribution to my community, e.g. volunteering Keeping my brain active, e.g. learning something new, challenging myself Haven t planned at all 74. Consider these statements about the spending that you might consider essential in retirement. Please select the one that best applies for you. All the money I spend is on essentials Most of the money I spend is on essentials and a little is on maintaining my lifestyle Some of the money I spend is on essentials, some is on maintaining my lifestyle and some is spending that could be foregone or delayed Some of the money I spend is on essentials, all the rest could be foregone or delayed

15 75. Where did you get or where do you expect to get financial information about retirement, e.g. retirement income, Age Pension or living expenses? You may select more than one response. Government website Other online sources Centrelink or other government office A financial adviser Other professional, e.g. solicitor, accountant Newspapers and magazines Super fund Bank or financial institution National Seniors Financial Information Desk Social media Family Friends I did not/will not need any information about retiring Other, please specify: 76. Have you applied for the Age Pension in the period 2016 to the present? Yes No 77. What was your experience with Centrelink like? We d like to hear your thoughts if you have time to share them. 78. If you ve ever been to a financial adviser, which of these options did you get advice on? Please select all that apply. Super contributions Savings Investments Insurance Retirement planning I haven t been to a financial adviser

16 79. It is now 10 years since the Global Financial Crisis had a major impact on the retirement savings of many Australians. Are you concerned about the potential impact of a repeat crisis on your retirement finances? Yes, I am concerned and I manage my investments to reduce this risk Yes, I am concerned but I don t know how to manage the risk No, the GFC was a blip and there is nothing to fear No, I no longer have a significant level of savings to worry about 80. Which of the statements below best describes your attitude to investing retirement savings (including superannuation) in the share market (if relevant)? While another GFC is possible, I will keep all or most of my retirement savings invested in the share market for long term growth Markets can fall, so I keep some of my retirement savings out of the share market I am keeping all of my retirement savings out of the market 81.Which of the following statements best explains risk in retirement for you? The possibility that income levels can fall The risk of permanent loss of capital Having a retirement savings account balance that is volatile The possibility that you don t have the money when it is needed Can t say 82. Thinking about your long-term goals for retirement savings, what is the largest loss in retirement savings that you would tolerate over one year? I cannot tolerate any loss 1% loss 5% loss 10% loss 15% loss 20% loss 25% loss 30% loss or more Can t say

17 CONTACT DETAILS We d like to follow up some people with interviews by phone or . A follow-up will consist of 1 or 2 questions on one topic only. A follow-up phone-call will take approximately 30 minutes. No survey respondent will be contacted in both ways. Please note that this is completely voluntary, you don t have to provide your details if you don t want to. But we d love to hear from you if you would like to talk about any of these issues in more detail. 85. Please let us know if you are happy to be contacted via or phone: Yes, I am happy to be interviewed by or phone No, I would not like to be interviewed by or phone YOUR CONTACT DETAILS Please enter your contact details below for follow-up: Name Address Phone Number RETURN ADDRESS Please return your completed survey by mail to: Social Survey, National Seniors Research Team, 4/26 Bougainville St, Manuka, ACT 2603 If you have any questions, please call (02) or research@nationalseniors.com.au

Seniors more savvy about retirement income. A report by National Seniors Australia and Challenger October 2017

Seniors more savvy about retirement income A report by National Seniors Australia and Challenger October 2017 Seniors more savvy about retirement income National Seniors Australia 2017 National Seniors