Michael Toomey, of Lalor Park, is one of an increasing number of spritely older Australians – so called “super agers” - turning 100 without need for residential aged care support.

New figures released by the Department of Health and Ageing show strong growth in the number of people aged more than a century living independently with support from Home Care Packages and the lower-level Commonwealth Home Support Program.

Figures released following a request under the Commonwealth Freedom of Information Act show that as of June 30, 2024, there were 3230 Australians aged more than 100 receiving support to continue living at home, more than 1000 more than in 2017.

According to the documents, 1094 people aged more than 100 were on Home Care Packages last year, a big jump on the 232 nationally in 2017.

Another 2136 100-year-olds were helped by the lower-level Commonwealth Home Support Program in 2024, up from 1794 in 2017 to live at home.

Mr Toomey, who lives independently on a Home Care Package from HammondCare Home Care, celebrated his 100^th birthday on December 11 last year with about 100 friends and family at Lalor Park Community Hub.

Mr Toomey can be seen almost daily keeping his fitness up doing daily walks ay Seven Hills Plaza with his walking stick. “I am doing OK,” he said, “I have some problems with my leg from a skin cancer, but I am getting better.”

Born in Blayney in 1924, he joined Postmaster-General’s Department aged 14 as a telegram boy and learned Morse Code. He stayed with what became Australia Post all his working life.

“You had to be able to send 23 messages in 30 minutes to be qualified for Morse Code,” he said. “There used to be a group of us Morse Codians who would meet but these days not many of us are left. Maybe I am the last.”

Mr Toomey remembers well working at GPO Sydney on May 31, 1942, sending Morse Code messages when Japanese subs entered Sydney Harbour.

HammondCare Home Care has 29 clients, like Mr Toomey, living at home with help from care workers and clinical and allied health staff.

Professor Chris Poulos, Director of the HammondCare Centre for Positive Ageing, said advances in health care are helping more people to live into their 80s and beyond – and an increase living independently into their 100s. “Improvements in cardiovascular health, a reduction in smoking rates and a wider awareness of the need for exercise and balanced diets are all contributing to Australians living longer,” he said.  

Prof Poulos, a specialist in rehabilitation medicine, is releasing a new book next year that will offer a secret equation for positive ageing. He said that many people living to 100 and beyond at home would require supportive family looking out for them.

“The backstory I hear in these situations is of retirees in their 60s and 70s facing care responsibilities, both looking after their parents and grandparenting,” Dr Poulos said.

Mr Toomey lost his wife Betty in 2020 - she was 96 – after 68 years of marriage. He still lives independently in the first home he and Betty bought in the then new suburb of Lalor Park in 1958. According to daughter Julie Carroll, her dad’s secret to longevity may be everything in moderation. He has never smoked, never been overweight and never been a heavy drinker – although he does have an evening whisky.

HammondCare Home Care Executive General Manager Marcela Carrasco said: “It’s a special privilege to support these special clients like Mr Toomey and their choice to continue living independently.”

Marcela said the new Support at Home system from July 1 offering higher support levels should mean more people living independently beyond 100.