Elders in regional NSW are breaking down ageism and the stigma around assistive technology.
At their local men’s group at Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services on Darkinjung Country, Uncle Mick Pittman, Uncle Wayne Cook, and Uncle Barry (BJ) Duncan carry different health journeys but share the belief that strength continues to develop with life’s changes and challenges.
Uncle Mick (Darkinjung Community Member), is 75 and a prostate cancer survivor. “According to statistics, I shouldn’t be here, but I am,” he says. His experience has taught him “knowledge is power”, and there’s no shame in seeking support as he gets older. “If something can help me live my life and participate in things, I’m going to run towards it. I’m not afraid of trying new things or having someone think ‘look at that poor old bugger’. I don’t give a damn. If I’m using a walking stick and I’m participating in an event, what matters is I’m there.”
Uncle Wayne (Dunghutti, Anaiwan) lives independently despite a diabetes-related lower limb amputation. “My goal was to be independent, and that’s what I am today”. Walking poles make a difference. “They helped me feel a lot more balanced; I can walk a lot quicker.” Uncle Wayne knows the value depends on people knowing these tools exist. “This information should be given to a lot of communities, especially in regional and remote areas, where they don’t get access to this sort of information regularly or readily.”
Uncle Barry (BJ) Duncan (Gomeroi) is recovering from a stroke. For him, the men’s group is a space where this knowledge can be shared without shame, and Community is a source of strength. “There’s such a thing as growing old gracefully and respectfully, and we come from a race of people who do that really well.”
Living well isn’t only about the physical tools we may need over time, but staying meaningfully connected to Country and Culture. At Yulu Punaal on Awabakal Country, Uncle Victor Wright (Dunghutti) and his wife Tammy (Gamilaroi) are navigating his recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis. “This place, I believe, has healing powers”, Tammy says. Uncle Victor teaches children how to make cultural artefacts. “They go and find some sticks out in the bush, we cut them, we sand them back. They either paint them or burn symbols on them, and they’re very proud of it.” Asked what they enjoyed most, the boys said the same thing: “sitting with Uncle Vic, making their clapsticks”. As two supervisors put it, “You can’t bottle that up, you can’t sell that – that’s precious and priceless”.
These stories are part of a wider national effort by LiveUp, with Campfire x, to capture Elder yarns on audio-video, sharing knowledge and building confidence around different ways to maintain independence, peer to peer.
The approach centres on spreading awareness of low-risk wellness and reablement strategies, including low-cost assistive products that don’t require professional advice to buy, install, or use, and can be found off the shelf at hardware stories, pharmacies, or online. Access to these strategies can improve opportunities for participation, particularly in regional and remote areas, where older people often face long waits for formal services, which for some can lead to loss of independence. Putting this knowledge directly in the hands of older people and their families gives them the choice and control to act early, rather than wait. Orange Aboriginal Medical Service, Galambila Aboriginal Health Service in Coffs Harbour, and Werin Aboriginal Corporation in Port Macquarie, are just some regional organisations running sessions introducing older people to these simple assistive products in a social setting.
Full stories can be viewed here, along with other resources on the LiveUp First Nations Resource Hub.
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