Staying Connected and Involved

Growing older does not mean someone cannot live independently. Many older Australians continue to contribute to their families and communities. However, having social connections, practical support, transport and opportunities to participate in community life can make a real difference to wellbeing.

There are many simple ways we can support older people in our community:

• Pop in and check on an elderly neighbour
• Invite an older person out for a coffee or morning tea
• Offer to help with transport or errands like grocery shopping or medical appointments
• Invitations to the library, park, community centre, or local event
• Phone an elderly friend or relative regularly for a chat
• Send a personal card, letter, or postcard
• Help with technology, such as phones, video calls or online appointments
• Ask what help a senior person would actually find useful rather than assuming what they need
• Encourage participation in local groups, hobbies, exercise classes, or social activities
• Consider volunteering as a regular visitor or companion to an older person

Senior Focused Community Groups

Many of our local community groups encourage seniors to participate (and seniors make up the majority of members) – to create friendships, attend events and outings, create art & crafts, volunteer and fundraising, and learn new skills.

This includes all the local Rotary, Lions, Probus, and View groups and clubs, theatre groups, historical societies, men’s shed and women’s shed groups.

Both the BrisWest Centre in Paddington and the Mitchelton & District Senior Citizens Centre offer opportunities specifically for older residents – to meet others and participate in community activities.

Brisbane City Council 50 Plus Centre offers free membership and low-cost activities for seniors and pensioners over 50, including social and recreational activities; located in Brisbane City Hall.

Jim’s happy History in Aged Care Home

When Jim Spiers moved into Carinity Hilltop last year, it was a place he was very familiar with. The 93-year-old had visited the aged care home on many occasions, both to visit family members and to tune the facility’s pianos.

Jim was born in Kelvin Grove and has lived there his entire life. He has seen many changes in the suburb since the 1930s, when one could “walk down the street and not see a car go by”.

When Jim was young the area next to Carinity Hilltop – now the Kelvin Grove Urban Village – only had a scattering of houses. Hilltop opened in 1923.

“It was just bush when I was a kid. On a weekend the park was full of people playing sport. We used the council tennis court and there was also basketball and a velodrome,” Jim said.

Two of Jim’s sisters volunteered at Hilltop, and his wife and two sisters-in-law lived there in their later years. Jim also tuned the pianos at Hilltop for decades, so he “knew the place and the people fairly well before moving here”.

Jim recalls attending an “eventful” Christmas concert at Hilltop in the early-1980s, featuring a traditional performance by a Cook Islands man.

“He was a flame juggler and fire-eater, and he set off all the alarms. They had to ring the fire station saying, ‘Don’t come, don’t come!’”

Jim knew about Carinity Hilltop as his wife had been a resident there, which helped with his decision to move there. It was necessary for Jim’s health as he could no longer care for himself at home. Jim says he makes the best of being at Carinity Hilltop. He is happy and attends most of the activities on offer each day.

“It is a pleasure to talk with and get along well with staff and residents alike. I like to have a good conversation with people,” Jim said.

For more about Carinity aged care: www.carinity.org.au/our-services/residential-aged-care

Further information and resources:

My Aged Care: the Australian Government’s main starting point for finding and accessing aged-care services, including support at home and residential aged care. www.myagedcare.gov.au

Communify Qld: provides aged-care and community support across Brisbane, including social support, transport and assistance accessing services. www.communify.org.au

COTA Queensland (Council on the Ageing Queensland): advocates for the rights, interests and wellbeing of older Queenslanders and provides information, programs and opportunities for older people to have their voices heard. www.cotaqld.org.au

Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN): provides free, independent advocacy and support for older people using aged-care services. www.opan.org.au

Dementia Australia: provides information, support and resources for people living with dementia, their families and carers. www.dementia.org.au

Author: Isabel Becker

Images credits: courtesy of Carinity
Cover image: Paul and Ian at Carinity aged care home