In late 2023, The Plug-in conducted a Mood Snapshot survey to hear from older Australians about their experiences in 2023 and outlook as we head into the new year. We were overwhelmed with the heartfelt responses of the 188 people who completed our survey – thank you!

While many people had mixed feelings about events or circumstances throughout 2023 (67%), Connectedness – with family, friends, and community – was a major positive outcome of 2023.

65% felt positive when reflecting on life at the end of 2023 (ratings of 7+ on a 10-point scale). This result is a slight downturn in comparison to the results of last year’s Mood Snapshot survey results for 2022 (67%).

The main positives of 2023:

The biggest challenges of 2023:

  • Spending time with family, friends and community (34%)
  • Good health and access to medical care (20%)
  • Financial security and making ends meet (19%)
  • Cost of living and financial pressures (52%)
  • Physical and mental health (29%)
  • Safety – local and global, geo-politics, and scams (22%)

When looking at the year ahead, 55% of respondents feel positive about 2024, with the average optimism rating at 6.5 on a scale of 1 to 10.

I’m most looking forward to:

I’m most concerned about:

  • Time with family, friends and being connected (34%)
  • Good health, being active and enjoying life (27%)
  • Holidays and travel (22%)
  • Accessing health care/physical and mental health (32%)
  • Finances, cost of living and economy (30%)
  • Global politics and conflict (16%)
  • Climate change/environment (16%)

When considering the biggest challenges facing most older Australians that COTA SA and The Plug-in should know about heading into 2024, you highlighted:

  1. Cost of Living and financial pressures, pensions and the economy (59%)
  2. Access to healthcare services and being able to maintain physical and mental health (48%)
  3. Housing access and affordability (28%)

Words used to describe how you feel about 2024

We love hearing from you and learning about the positive experiences of community, and the challenges people are facing to ensure The Plug-in, COTA SA, continue to represent the interests of older Australians. We warmly encourage you to sign up for free to share your valuable insights and have an influence. We want to hear from you!

To keep up to date with our projects, please register online via www.theplugin.com.au/connect, phone us on 08 8232 0422 or email: connect@theplugin.com.au.

Your contributions make a difference to the lives of older Australians.

For further information please contact The Plug-in on (08) 8224 5526 or email connect@theplugin.com.au