Office for Ageing Well aims to safeguard the rights of older South Australians, tackle ageism and prevent and address abuse and mistreatment.
Future Directions to Safeguard the Rights of Older South Australians 2023–2027 is an initiative that supports the South Australia's Plan for Ageing Well by sharing the same goals of improving health and wellbeing for older people.
This initiative was shaped by extensive consultation. It sets statewide priorities to protect rights, tackle ageism, and prevent abuse, emphasising coordinated partnerships and a comprehensive approach to support older South Australians.
Future Directions to Safeguard the Rights of Older South Australians 2023–2027 (PDF 2.0 MB)
Foundational principles
Future Directions to Safeguard the Rights of Older South Australians 2023–2027 contains three Foundational principles that guide decision-making and implementation:
Foundational Principle 1 - Work with older people as experts and the agents of change
To live well and minimise vulnerabilities to harm, older people must be recognised as the ultimate experts and authorities in their lives.
Foundational Principle 2 - Trauma-informed approach
It is fundamental to consider and gain an understanding of how people’s histories affect their lives now. This trauma-informed approach to ageing then informs how support or services are provided or delivered.
Foundational Principle 3 - Respect people and diversity
Acknowledge and respond to older people’s diversity, individuality and culture.
Strategic priorities
Older people identified four Strategic priorities as crucial to safeguarding rights and preventing abuse:
Age-inclusive society
Older South Australians are treated with respect, without prejudice, discrimination or being stereotyped, no matter their age.
Organisations, services and supports work for people
Organisations, services and supports have the capability and flexibility to adapt to individual circumstances and changing needs of older South Australians.
Connected people and communities
Older South Australians have the opportunity to create and maintain meaningful connections to people and communities to reduce social isolation and loneliness.
Safe and secure homes
Greater choice and access to homes where older South Australians feel safe, have secure tenure and can live on their own terms.
Supporting conditions
Four Supporting conditions are seen as critical to achieving successful outcomes:
Growing access to support from peers
Greater options and access for older South Australians to receive support and services from peers.
Preparedness and choice
South Australians are better prepared for their older years and understand their choices.
Fostering intergenerational relationships
Opportunities that value and foster relationships and connections between people of all ages.
Inclusive technology
Technology works for all older South Australians and does not create reliance on others for its use.
Measuring impact
Office for Ageing Well regularly checks how the Future Directions plan is helping older South Australians. Each action will have indicators to measure impact, included in partnership agreements. The Ageing Well Measuring Success Framework will guide these indicators. Project partners and older people will help measure the impact.
Future actions
New partnerships and ideas from government, non-government, and the community will create new actions under the Future Directions strategy.
How you can get involved
You can help to safeguard the rights of older South Australians in several ways:
Volunteer: Offer your time to support programs and activities aimed at improving the lives of older people.
Advocate: Raise awareness about ageism and the rights of older individuals in your community.
Participate: Join consultations and discussions to share your experiences and ideas.
Educate: Learn about the issues facing older South Australians and share this knowledge with others.