Issue 9: Scaffolding positive ageing systems begins with empowering older peoples

Welcome to the ninth issue of Innovation For Better Lives, our monthly newsletter where we share the tools, books, practices and people that inspire us to do better every day.  

Half of the world's population holds ageist attitudes according to the World Health Organization (WHO) , which can have devastating consequences for older people's physical and mental health.

This month, the TACSI team has put together a list of resources, dates, programs and organisations that are contributing to a culture of positive ageing in our communities.

Mark your calendars: SA Health 's Week of Ageing Well begins on October 1. The week aims to celebrate older South Australians and their significant contributions to our society. The Office for Ageing Well hopes to raise awareness about tackling ageism, growing diversity, and increasing accessibility – all while creating opportunities for people to connect.

Funded by Hanover Housing Association , a group of women over 50 are co-housing in the UK with the goal of creating a community of helpful neighbours, and an alternative to living alone. New Ground Cohousing tackles social norms and puts people in charge of their own ageing journey. 

Elder Abuse Action Australia (EAAA) was established to confront the often hidden problem of discrimination, neglect and mistreatment of older Australians. Their website is a great source for educational, informational and supportive content.

Compass (an EAAA project) explores the prevalence of ageism in our society, the variety of issues related to ageism and what we can all do to address ageist structures in this webinar. Panellists include Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO, Dr Lixia Qu, Mary Ann Baquero Geronimo and Philippa McDonald.

Victorian students are spending time with aged care residents in a new school subject which explores the allied health industry. The program challenges the students’ perception of ageing and has forged new friendships for all involved. 

The LGBTIQ People Ageing Well report tackles the reality of older LGBTIQ+ people continuing to fear or expect prejudice from people around them, including health professionals. COTA Australia and SA Rainbow Advocacy Alliance presented the report in 2018, and continue to passionately advocate for older LGBTIQ+ peoples. 

National Seniors Australia discusses how older Australians hope local changes in community can help improve their quality of life. The report features takeaways that are paramount for anyone working in community impact. 

Multi-generational housing trends are changing how we live. Charlotte Hamlyn from Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) explores how baby boomers moving in with their adult kids is tackling the ageing and housing crisis. 

The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing ’s practice guide for effective co-design for culturally and linguistically diverse consumers promotes intersectionality to ensure quality care for all older people. 

Bolton Clarke Cabrini’s award-winning A Taste of Home cultural food initiative sees aged care residents enjoying food from 23 different cultural backgrounds – many recipes provided by the residents themselves. This initiative highlights the link between culture, identity and food, and provides an opportunity for ageing people from all backgrounds to enjoy culturally appropriate food.

Olivia Willis reports how a new study has found “positive thinking about ageing may lower dementia risk.” Read more here. 

The South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS) is a Noongar Community Controlled Health Organisation providing holistic and culturally appropriate healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The tagline ‘Our Health, Our Way' represents the ethos of this organisation. 

Tamar Krebs hopes Group Homes Australia retreats will “give hope to the people living with dementia and their support partner, to demystify what dementia is and isn't — because there's a lot of stigma around it.”

Creative ageing leans on arts and cultural activities to promote imagination and support older people by using the creative arts to improve cognitive health and life satisfaction. Is it the key to healthy ageing?

Old School A Hub for Age Equity + Ageism Awareness provides free resources to educate people about ageism. The content focuses on internalised and structural age bias. The goal? To empower people to live long and live well.

Gather My Crew is a mobile app that catalyses the power of familial and friendship networks to provide help and support across short and long-term caring contexts.

Australia’s first community-operated and owned dementia facility is in the works. Cherry Servis has a clear goal: Ensuring carers don’t experience the same isolation and exhaustion she did. The Woodend Lifestyle Carers Group hopes to secure government funding to counteract the absence of adequate services. 

Intergenerational interactions help to dispel ageism in the Centenarian Portrait Project by teenagers. Budding artists and centenarians build friendships and share knowledge during their intimate portrait painting sessions.

Good Neighbours Australia and Strathfield Council have addressed the isolation many people feel with Connection Through Creativity – an intergenerational art project. 

Defying ageism by returning to the workforce is an opportunity for older people to earn more money in a cost of living crisis, where many feel the pension doesn't cut it. Alysia Blackham suggests staffing shortages may have a simple solution: Widening hiring pools.

Diet and exercise can only get you so far for healthy ageing. The Fab Five swear by companionship, a positive attitude to ageing, and fun to maintain holistic wellbeing. 

Old Wynnum Hospital will be converted into an aged care facility co-designed by First Nations people. The future wellbeing hub is inclusive of all life stages, from early to end of life. "There will be yarning circles, there will be areas for sorry business … things that are completely lacking in a normal aged care facility," says Health Minister Yvette D’Ath.

Connecting Generations: Adopt a Grand buddy program is a KIDS Foundation program connecting preschool children and retirement home residents. The visits have incredibly positive outcomes for both the children and older people involved by tackling loneliness in the residents and providing valuable friendships for the children. 

The Art Bus is a South Australian community visual art program that brings people together to make art, share stories and drink tea. It’s cross generational and provides a safe and dynamic space for building friendships while learning new creative skills. 

The Leeds Neighbourhood Network model, supported by the Centre for Ageing Better , showcases the power of community-based support in healthy ageing.

Is this technology the key to improving healthcare in rural Australia? La Trobe University 's Digital Innovation Hub is working to improve remote medical exams for all patients. 

Derenda Schubert is a licensed psychologist with extensive professional experience in counselling children and families. Watch her Ted Talk about intergenerational solutions to complex social challenges. 

Affirming transitional housing developments for trans folks can inform collaborative solutions for ageing peoples navigating the housing crisis. Explore Open House and Sage’s symposium series here.

First Nations women share their wisdom, stories, safety and celebration across generations through the platform Helpful by Nature: The power of connection through community.

TACSI is working towards changing the way we all think about ageing. In partnership with SA Health ’s Office for Ageing Well, we listened to thousands of older people and developed three strategic priorities necessary to reinvent how we age. You can also read South Australia’s Plan for Ageing Well 2020-2025 here.

Positive aging is a collective responsibility. We all play a role in creating a society where older people are respected, valued and supported to live their best lives. What can you do to promote positive aging in your community? Start with educating yourself and others about ageism, support local organisations doing their part to create a more age-inclusive community, connect with the older people in your lives, and finally, age with joy and vitality.

What are you most looking forward to about getting older?

Share it with us 👇🏽👇🏽