Australian Ageing Agenda May-June 2023 Cover Story

It’s time to own ageing

Society has an interesting relationship with the notion of getting older. While tired stereotypes about ageing and older people have created a culture of dependence, most people want to continue to look after themselves, whilst living at home and engaging in their community as they age.

To help, iLA is changing how people think about getting older and what we are capable of as we age. As a not-for-profit organisation, iLA is dedicated to helping older Australians make informed decisions about their ageing journey and maintain their independence for as long as possible.

Hilary O’Connell – iLA’s Principal Advisor for Healthy Ageing – is passionate about the science of healthy ageing and maintaining independence and quality of life in older years.

“After all, science has proven only around 25 per cent of ageing-related issues are down to genetics. With up to 75 per cent due to our everyday lifestyle, small changes can have a huge impact,” O’Connell tells Australian Ageing Agenda

Through free support services and ongoing initiatives, iLA connects service providers and individuals to impartial information, industry-leading resources, and a self-screening tool to ensure everyone has what they need to make informed choices about their healthy ageing journey.

iLA’s healthy ageing services and initiatives include KeepAble, LiveUp, Village Hubs, and the Regional Assessment Service.

KeepAble supports providers

Research has shown that the sooner someone stops performing tasks for themselves, the faster they lose their functional ability. The saying “use it or lose it” rings true.

Funded under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme, KeepAble is a free resource hub to support CHSP providers, allied health professionals, Regional Assessment Service and Aged Care Assessment Team assessors, clients, families, and communities in implementing wellness and Reablement (W&R) approaches.

The W&R model is focused on an older person’s aspirations and goals, and how aged care service providers can support people to find accessible ways to adapt to, and improve upon their current level of ability, so they can continue doing the things they enjoy for longer.

Compiled by a team of dedicated professionals, KeepAble features a broad range of free, best practice information, resources, tools, eLearning modules, and bitesize courses in W&R.

The resources have been designed to empower service providers to support older people to actively participate in happier, healthier, and more independent lives. KeepAble aims to help people improve their independence through actions big and small.

By sharing content that sparks conversations and drives change, iLA is encouraging everyone to think differently about ageing and change the discourse about what we are capable of as we age, says O’Connell.

Everyone can have access to the information and support they need to age well with iLA.

Hilary O’Connell

“Wellness and reablement as significant paradigm shifts are a win-win.”

There are many unhelpful myths and stereotypes about getting older, but the truth is, a lot of how people age is in their hands. Research estimates that only up to 25 per cent of how you age is based on your genetics – so 75 per cent is determined by your everyday lifestyle choices.

“Wellness and reablement as significant paradigm shifts are a win-win. It’s a win for older people by supporting individuals to remain as able and engaged as possible in their community, and a win for policymakers and the sector as it can free up resources for those who do require support longer-term or more intensive levels of support.”

LiveUp - the upside of ageing

LiveUp is a free healthy ageing guide funded by the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care. Launched in 2022, LiveUp is designed to help older people maintain independence and social connection as they age. Service providers can point their clients to the LiveUp website or use the features and resources together.

The website is packed with ideas, tools, and information to keep older people doing the things they love or to encourage them to try something new.

“One of the best things people can do is just to keep having a go at things, whether they be physically or mentally challenging. Staying engaged with life, socialising and learning new skills, all help to maintain wellbeing,” O’Connell tells AAA.

Around half of the common barriers older people face when tackling daily activities can be addressed by finding and using assistive products. Most of the helpful products on the website are available from well-known retailers and reliable online stores, she says.

The website includes a quick quiz to complete which provides personalised suggestions for low-cost assistive products and gadgets to help with everyday living. Entering the suburb and postcode shows local activities and nearby networks focused on keeping physically active and socially connected.

LiveUp also features regularly updated healthy ageing articles written by allied health

professionals, designed to provide information and downloadable resources for various agerelated topics such as preventing falls and getting a better night’s sleep.

Village Hubs help bring people together

In Australia, one in four people over the age of 55 report feelings of loneliness, with nearly a third experiencing social isolation.

But it isn’t just a feeling. The health effects of loneliness and social isolation are real and serious, says O’Connell. “It can have a severe impact on mental and physical health, with an increased risk of developing depression, dementia, heart disease, stroke, and even contributing to early death.”

iLA was appointed as the National Grant Manager for the Village Hubs Program in 2021. Working in partnership with 12 Hubs around Australia, iLA aims to alleviate social isolation and loneliness experienced by older people, and to support mental, physical, and social health and wellbeing in our communities.

The Village Hubs are based in regional and metropolitan areas across Australia. They work with a diverse range of older Australians including people from Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, culturally and linguistically diverse, and LGBTIQA+ communities.

While each Hub has its own unique approach, they have all been implementing and integrating a codesigned, community-led methodology. They allow older Australians to participate in activities and events to improve their mental, physical, and social health, as well as to create better connections to the local community.

The Village Hubs and iLA’s other initiatives and services can help add life to years, not just years to lives, says O’Connell.

“We are empowering older people in Australia to take control of their ageing journey for happier, healthier, more independent lives.” n

To learn more about iLA and its healthy ageing initiatives visit ilaustralia.org.au

“Staying engaged with life, socialising and learning new skills, all help to maintain your wellbeing.”