Healthy ageing is more than avoiding illness. It is about living well, with purpose and independence, across every stage of life. This principle underpins the work of Queensland’s Centre of Excellence in Healthy Ageing (CoE), a collaborative initiative informed by community voices and grounded in evidence.
Earlier this year, CheckUP partnered with Health Consumers Queensland to ask older Queenslanders what ageing means to them. These conversations reached beyond metropolitan areas, drawing in voices from regional communities across the state. Participants shared thoughtful reflections. “I wake up feeling stiff,” one person said, “but I’m much more chill with life and the world.” Others spoke of confidence and authenticity: “I just do things with much less care about what anybody thinks.” These insights show that ageing is not only about physical change but also about adaptation and resilience.
Challenges remain. Financial pressures and system complexity weigh heavily. People described long waits for care and rising costs that make even basic GP visits unaffordable. “It’s much easier to look after your health if you’re wealthy,” one consumer observed. Social connection was seen as essential for wellbeing, yet family support is not always available. Many rely on friends, health services and community networks, particularly in rural and remote areas where access can be limited.
Planning for the future was another strong theme. Participants valued early conversations about care preferences and legal documents, but uncertainty persists. Fear of dementia and mistrust in aged care amplify anxiety, especially among culturally and linguistically diverse communities seeking language-appropriate services.
These insights are shaping practical action. The CoE’s engagement strategy commits to clear communication, cultural inclusivity and genuine collaboration. It aims to balance realism with optimism, acknowledging the challenges of ageing while focusing on opportunities for resilience and participation. By reframing ageing as a shared journey, the strategy invites people of all ages to contribute to designing care models that reflect community needs.
Community voices have also informed a major literature review commissioned by Inala Primary Care and delivered by Victoria University’s Australian Health Policy Collaboration. This review synthesises global and national evidence on preventive care, integrated models and consumer engagement across the life course. Its findings are now guiding funding proposals for multiple CoE initiatives, including a planned Stage 2 nationwide survey on healthy ageing. Future phases will embed place-based engagement in rural and remote communities, ensuring that local priorities shape solutions and that regional voices remain central to design and delivery.
The review reinforces what consumers have expressed: healthy ageing depends on early action. Preventive health checks, proactive screening and lifestyle support in midlife can delay or prevent chronic conditions, reducing future care needs. It also calls for integrated, person-centred models that combine clinical care with social supports, recognising that health is influenced by housing, income, digital access and community connection.
As one participant said, “You should be able to still participate in society, no matter how old you are.” This perspective underpins recommendations to improve access and affordability, strengthen social networks, support early planning and build trust in care systems. These priorities reflect the lived experiences of Queenslanders who want to age well and help others do the same.
With community-led strategies, evidence-based models and responsive health systems, the goal is to create a future where ageing is supported with dignity, purpose and care across Queensland, from city centres to the most remote communities.
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