The Safeguards for Ageing Well program, supported by Office for Ageing Well, 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.

Aged Rights Advocacy Service (ARAS) recently hosted a successful intergenerational activity, fostering meaningful connections between older adults from the ECH ‘Wanders’ group and Gilles Street Primary School students. The initiative aimed to challenge ageism and promote mutual understanding between generations, aligning with ARAS’s strategic priorities of creating an age-inclusive society and reducing social isolation.

Prior to the event, the students were tasked with drawing their perceptions of older people, reflecting common stereotypes such as images of frailty, glasses, and cats. This exercise highlighted the power of media and personal experience in shaping views on age.

At the event, ARAS Advocates facilitated discussions on ageism, asking participants to share their perceptions of both younger and older generations. The group then engaged in a ‘two truths and a lie’ activity, where the ECH members shared surprising facts about their lives, such as one member’s experience walking over a Nuclear Reactor. This fun activity helped challenge preconceived notions about ageing and showcased the dynamic lives of older individuals.

The highlight of the event was the small group activity, where students interacted with ECH members, asking pre-prepared questions and learning about their lives. This interaction allowed students to move beyond stereotypes and create more personalised portraits of the older adults, reflecting new insights and interests. One student even depicted their ECH member skateboarding—an activity they hadn’t previously associated with older people.

The event concluded with a reflective exercise, where participants re-evaluated their perceptions of each other. Students now saw older adults as ‘engaged, good to talk to, and funny’, while ECH members described the students as ‘knowledgeable, smart, and kind’. This activity, which helped break down ageist stereotypes, exemplified the positive impact of intergenerational engagement.

ARAS continues to lead efforts in reducing ageism, emphasising the importance of fostering intergenerational connections to promote empathy, respect, and community cohesion. These activities are vital in creating a society where all individuals, regardless of age, are valued.

ARAS is actively involved in various initiatives to support older individuals in the community:

Home Care Check-In Project: ARAS conducts in-home safety checks for older people who may be vulnerable due to social isolation, ensuring they are protected from harm or neglect and encouraging connections outside of their care supports, within their communities.

Community Information Sessions: ARAS provides informational sessions to both community members and aged care providers. These sessions cover topics such as safeguarding the rights of older people, promoting a positive life, healthy ageing, and strategies for preventing elder abuse.

Aboriginal Advocacy: ARAS offers confidential and culturally sensitive advocacy services across all programs. Additionally, they conduct Safeguards for Ageing Well Aboriginal Community Network sessions tailored for service providers working with Elders in the community.

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