Millions of Australians are being asked to take a free online Life Check with the launch of a new government website this week.
The Life Check website is part of the government’s ‘More choices for a longer life’ initiative intended to help Australians live longer, better lives. Currently, 10 million Australians aged 45 and over can access free advice to plan and take positive steps towards better health and greater security.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Ken Wyatt says the Life Checks have been carefully designed to help health, wealth, work and social wellbeing.
“Taking a Life Check means having more choices for a longer life and is one of the best new year’s resolutions you can make in 2019,” he said. “It’s something to tell your friends about because spending a few minutes taking a Life Check could make a lifetime of difference.
“We should be aiming to live well to 100 or more. We’re already living 25 years longer than we did a century ago and we owe it to ourselves, our families and the nation to live the best we can.
“Average Australian life expectancy is now 82.5 years and it is projected by 2050 there will be more than 40,000 centenarians.”
Involving a five-minute questionnaire, two Life Checks are available, for people aged 45 to 64 and for those aged 65 and older, with the results and recommendations available via email in an easy-to-read format.
The health area of the questionnaire focuses on risk factors for preventable disease, with research showing that nearly nine out of 10 people over 65 are living with at least one of eight chronic diseases.
“Just taking the quiz is a positive step, offering encouragement and accessible resources to improve things you may want to change to realise your dreams and help futureproof your life,” Mr Wyatt said.
“Life Checks aim to provide Australians with a clear picture of how they are currently tracking and how they can prepare for the next stages in their lives.
“They are totally private and no personal information is stored at any time during the Life Check process.”
The federal government is investing $6.5 million in the Life Checks program, as part of its commitment to the ‘More choices for a longer life’ ageing and aged-care package announced in the 2018-19 budget.
