Future of health: Conference on the care of older people in Villach!

Future of health: Conference on the care of older people in Villach!

The demographic development in Austria poses considerable challenges for the healthcare system. Loud OTS The proportion of people over 64 years of age in the total population will rise to around 25 percent by 2035. In 2024, this share will already be around 20 percent, and by 2050 it is expected to rise to 28 percent. What is particularly striking is the proportionate increase in the number of people over 74, which will reach over 12 percent by 2035, which was still under 10 percent in 2024 and is expected to reach almost 17 percent in 2050.

In rural regions, the aging of the population will progress even faster. It is expected that in some Austrian federal states the proportion of the population of retirement age will be over 30 percent by 2035. This results in an urgent need for new impulses and solutions for regional health care, which will be discussed as part of a conference program.

Conference on regional health care

The Aging Research Center IARA at the Carinthian University of Applied Sciences is offering a conference on May 21st and 22nd, 2025 that will deal intensively with the topic. On the first day, the conference will take place online in English, while the second day will be held on site in Villach in German. The topics range from community nursing pilot projects to experiences from the USA and the Netherlands to decentralized care concepts. IARA has already evaluated Austria-wide community nursing pilot projects in order to better understand the needs of the population.

In the context of demographic change, it is crucial that health care adapts to the changing age structure. RM Courier highlights that increasing life expectancy and falling birth rates are leading to an increase in the elderly population, which poses challenges for the health system. Older people often require more medical services and require adapted concepts in the area of ​​care and treatment.

Innovative solutions and challenges

The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and dementia means that medical structures must adapt to meet the needs of an aging population. Prevention programs, early diagnoses and individual treatment plans are becoming increasingly important in order to prevent illnesses at an early stage. Digital technologies such as telemedicine and health apps are helping to improve access to medical care.

A key problem is staff shortages in the nursing profession. Innovative care concepts, such as outpatient care and assisted living, show approaches to overcoming these challenges. In addition, the financing of health care is increasingly becoming a key issue that needs to be addressed. Health literacy education and the promotion of social networks are additional factors that can improve the quality of life of older people.

Overall, it is clear that demographic change is not only a challenge for Austria, but also affects numerous countries worldwide such as Japan, South Korea and China. The combination of prevention, digitalization and innovative care concepts will be crucial to ensure high-quality, comprehensive medical care in aging societies.

Registrations for the conference on May 21st and 22nd, 2025 are possible until May 12th, 2025 at the email address iara@fh-kaernten.at. The event offers an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas and information about current trends and solutions in healthcare.