The Safeguards for Ageing Well program, supported by Office for Ageing Well, SA Health, aims to promote awareness and support older people’s rights, encouraging positive living and ageing well through four key messages: staying connected, staying active, staying healthy, and staying in control.

This year, the program expanded its outreach, ensuring that both urban and rural communities could benefit as these highlights demonstrate.

Urban Community Event

ARAS, in partnership with Helping Hand residential aged care home Golden Grove and Kozy Kids Golden Grove, organised an enriching intergenerational activity. Older residents lacking regular young visitors and preschool children without older figures in their lives came together for a day of learning and sharing. Before the event, both groups were educated about ageism and ARAS's initiatives, emphasising societal views on age.

The day was filled with laughter, games, and meaningful interactions. Residents and children played games, and the children presented thank you gifts to the residents, symbolising respect and future engagements. To nurture these connections, resident details were shared with Kozy Kids, enabling the children to send birthday wishes. This event at Golden Grove highlighted the significance of age inclusivity and dispelled stereotypes with the relationships formed promising a more connected future for both generations.

Rural Community Event

ARAS collaborated with Kapunda High School and Kapunda Community Shed to create a memorable intergenerational event. The focus was both interaction and challenging age stereotypes and biases.

Central to the event’s success were the real-life stories shared, including a 95-year-old demonstrating their skills driving a large food-grain truck and a 91-year-old showcasing exercise and travel adventures unlimited by age. These stories sparked discussions about ageism, encouraging students and community members to understand each other’s perspectives, dispelling myths and biases about different age groups.

This event paved the way for continued engagement in Kapunda, a close-knit community of about 3,800 residents. The positive outcomes were evident, as students expressed interest in participating in activities at the Kapunda Shed, enhancing their interactions with older community members. Conversely, older community members were eager to volunteer at the school, sharing their wisdom, technical skills, and assisting in hands-on projects.

Participants provided overwhelmingly positive feedback, indicating a genuine change in perceptions and a heightened understanding of ageism. ARAS, in collaboration with local partners, has established a strong foundation for continued efforts to make Kapunda more inclusive for all age groups. The shared experiences and stories from this event have sowed the seeds for future community interactions where age is celebrated, not seen as a barrier.

Regional Offices: ARAS has established three regional offices in Berri, Nuriootpa, and Victor Harbor, which operate on an appointment-only basis.

Nuriootpa Office: 1 First Street, Nuriootpa SA 5355

Berri Office: 21 Denny Street, Berri SA 5343

Victor Harbor Office: 9/46-52 Ocean Street, Victor Harbor SA 5211

For inquiries or appointments, please contact ARAS at (08) 8232 5377 or 1800 700 600 (toll-free) or email aras@agedrights.asn.au.