Grey nomads travelling in Australia: Health needs

The focus of this research is on Grey Nomads visiting and living for a few months in a coastal Central Queensland community. The Grey Nomads’ attitudes’ to their health needs and concerns whilst travelling also formed part of the research project. Other articles on Grey Nomads and their habits (Horneman, Carter, Wei and Ruys 2002; Onyx and Leonard 2005; Onyx and Leonard 2007a, 2007b), confirm that there has been little research to date on this rapidly increasing tourist group within Australia. As Australia, similar to other westernised countries, has a rapidly ageing population (ABS 1996; ABS 2000; Onyx and Leonard 2005; Cassidy 2008; Obst, Brayley and King 2008), this group of retired, nomadic, aged over fifty, free spirits requires an in depth examination of their health needs whilst travelling in Australia. Such research and the subsequent findings can only serve to enhance and improve health and social service provision for this ageing section of the Australian population. It will also serve to inform and enhance these services and their provision, and pinpoint the needs of Grey Nomads while travelling long distances in and around the Australian continent.