WHY Program – Healthy Ageing Project

Healthy ageing results from a variety of genetic, environmental, socio-economic and behavioural factors. When these factors interact positively communities can become more age-friendly and individuals can experience better health, good physical function, independent living, and fewer years of disease or disability which delivers an enhanced quality of life.

The healthy ageing project aims to increase knowledge, build personal skills, enhance partnerships and develop community capacity to improve healthy ageing outcomes among older adults.

Key Stakeholders in the Healthy Ageing Project include:

Dunmunkle Health Service Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital

Harrow Bush Nursing Service Hindmarsh Shire Council

Rural Northwest Health Service West Wimmera Health Service

West Wimmera Shire Council Woomelang Bush Nursing Service

Yarriambiack Shire Council

The Healthy Ageing Project working across the West Wimmera, Hindmarsh and Yarriambiack local government catchments commenced in March 2014 with Wayne John as the project officer. Wayne has a background in health science and considerable experience as a health professional working in the areas of health promotion, chronic disease prevention and management and working with older adults utilising healthy ageing approaches.

The main components of the Healthy Ageing Project include:

healthy ageing workforce training such as physical activity and healthy ageing or balance training and falls prevention
community healthy ageing presentations that increase health literacy in the healthy ageing space and develop personal skills for health improvement such as healthy bones and the prevention of osteoporosis
developing and providing healthy ageing resources like ‘My Healthy Ageing Plan’
active linking and facilitation of older people to increase engagements with physical activity, good nutrition and social connections within their communities
providing support to WHY Program agencies and local community service providers to strengthen and build community capacity including increased agency and workforce collaborations for enhanced and sustainable healthy ageing approaches.

The HAP Project Worker acts as a key resource, facilitator and knowledge base for healthy ageing strategies within the WHY catchment and works closely with community providers to clarify the needs of their specific community, the existing resources in the community and gaps in service delivery where change can be influenced. (Healthy Ageing Report, September, 2014)

Some of the tools developed include:

List of Healthy Ageing presentations available to communities in the catchments:

Healthy Ageing Community Talks