A community-first approach to healthy ageing

Published August 2025 | 5 min read
Expert contributor: Dr Kristy Robson, Charles Sturt University
Words by Alana Wulff

It’s no secret healthy ageing boosts wellbeing and quality of life. Now, a new program is helping older Australians stay active and live independently.

Australians are living longer than ever before. With the number of people aged 65 and over expected to double over the next 40 years – and increasing pressure on our healthcare system and aged care services – it’s never been more important to equip people with the tools they need to age and live well.

Healthy ageing not only improves health outcomes and quality of life for older Australians, it also helps prevent issues like frailty and falls, which often lead to hospital stays, long recovery times and increased reliance on aged care. This is particularly an issue in remote and rural areas, where access to health services can be limited.

The Wellness 2 Age program, funded by the HCF Research Foundation and developed by Charles Sturt University colleagues Dr Kristy Robson and Associate Professor Melissa Nott, addresses this issue head on. Designed to help older Australians in rural communities stay physically active, mentally sharp and socially connected, the Wellness 2 Age program has already helped many older people regain their confidence and independence.

As an allied health professional and researcher with a keen interest in falls prevention, Dr Robson had been involved with a range of community programs in the past but often felt there was something missing.

“We know there are community-based programs on falls prevention, exercise and memory – but these programs focus on one aspect rather than a more holistic approach to supporting older people to age well,” explains Dr Robson. “We understand that everyone’s experience of ageing is different, so we wanted to create a program that could adapt to each person’s unique situation.”

A holistic, proactive approach to healthy ageing

Developed in 2018, the Wellness 2 Age program is goal-oriented and responsive to each participant’s needs. “Our team works closely with the older person to identify their personal goals, then tailors activities to align to these goals,” she explains. “Each activity focuses on both cognition and physical aspects, which is also graded so you can actually do the level that gives you enough of a challenge without being too difficult.”

Participants are partnered with other people who share similar goals, providing an opportunity for social engagement and connection. “They learn together, build rapport and enjoy meaningful conversation while working towards their goals,” says Dr Robson.

For Dr Robson and Assoc Prof Nott, an important factor was giving people practical help and strategies before they started to decline physically, emotionally or mentally. “In Australia, we usually wait until someone’s struggling before we step in with support, but by then it can feel like things are already going downhill,” says Dr Robson.

“We wanted to flip that around and take a proactive, strengths-based approach so people can get help early – as soon as they start to notice some challenges or even before there’s a diagnosis.”

By focusing on cognition, mobility and social inclusion – three key areas that often affect people as they age – the duo was determined to build skills and provide learning opportunities that genuinely keep participants engaged. “People who join community programs often end up doing the same activities as everyone else, with only minor adjustments for those with mobility aids,” explains Dr Robson. “But this doesn’t always match what the person actually needs or hopes to achieve, and that can really affect how involved they feel.”

Creating long-term benefits for older Australians

Thanks to medical advances, healthcare availability and improved living conditions, more Australians have the opportunity to spend their later years in good health. “It’s so important that we make the most of this time by staying connected, active and able to keep doing the things we love,” says Dr Robson. “Supporting mental wellbeing and maintaining a sense of purpose in later life can really help people thrive for longer.”

That’s why ongoing learning and connection are encouraged even after participants finish the Wellness 2 Age program. The goal is for people to keep using the strategies they’ve learnt in their everyday routines, and many participants continue applying these practical tools a year after completing the 10-week program.

“The activities are designed to link directly to daily life, so it doesn’t feel like you're doing something completely unrelated in a group and then struggling to use it at home,” explains Dr Robson. “We focus on simple, low-tech activities and resources, so whatever your goal is, we have an activity that can be tailored to your needs.”

So far, feedback about the Wellness 2 Age program has been extremely positive – from both participants and health professionals. “A lot of health professionals were saying, ‘there's nothing like this out here in the community’, while the impact the program has had on participants has been incredible,” says Dr Robson.

Many older people have shared stories of how the program has benefited them – like Alice, who said: “My self-esteem was enhanced because I [previously] spent a lot of time alone. I’d stop and think about everything that I do to be safe. I haven’t had to think about myself so much since doing the program, and [now] I’ve enjoyed going out and visiting people, which is something I hadn’t done for a long time.”

Reaching more communities across rural Australia

While continuing to grow and expand its reach over the past few years, the results of the program have also exceeded expectations. “In evaluations we’ve done with [the HCF Research Foundation], these success stories have been replicated tenfold,” says Dr Robson. “The impact on the individual person has just blown us away.”

So far, the program has not only been successfully delivered across communities in regional Australia but has also built capacity by training others to run it, too. “Our research has shown we can train a wide range of people to deliver the program effectively and achieve even better healthy ageing outcomes than we initially expected,” says Dr Robson.

There’s now a strong case to expand the program even further through additional funding and policy support. “We’re really keen to explore new opportunities and secure funding to grow the program to the next level,” says Dr Robson. “We also want to advocate to government and demonstrate this is a very cost-effective way to support older Australians. Ultimately, we would love every older Australian to have access to this program.”

Better healthcare for HCF members and all Australians

For 25 years, the HCF Research Foundation has worked to improve health outcomes and expand access to affordable, high-quality care – when and where it’s needed most. Through ongoing work, the Foundation continues to drive meaningful change, helping ensure all Australians receive the right treatment, at the right time, in the right setting.

Read more about the history and vision of the HCF Research Foundation.