Older Women

Older Women and Social Connectedness: A Snapshot of the ACT, October 2011

The link between social isolation and disadvantage, and mental and physical health and wellbeing is a growing concern for older women. It is for this reason that WCHM commissioned research into the major factors impacting upon older women’s social connectedness in the ACT. This report presents the findings of this research. It is by no means comprehensive, but rather, an initial step into understanding the needs of older women in maintaining good social connection and the impact this connection has upon their health, wellbeing and successful ageing. The ACT has one of the fastest growing populations of people aged 60 years and over in Australia. It is expected that, with a life expectancy of 81.3 years, ACT women will experience increasing rates of chronic illness and disability, which will have a direct impact upon their ability to be social connected. Now is the time to look for ways to adjust current thinking and approaches within the ACT to assist older women to increase control over, and to improve, their health and wellbeing and to connect, maintain connection or reconnect with their communities.

Older Women and Social Connectedness (850 KB)

It goes with the Territory! The Views of Older ACT Women about Health and Wellbeing Information (2011)

This companion report presents the findings and views of women aged 60 years or older and who participated in WCHM’s health and wellbeing information research, and identifies the major themes and the barriers facing them in accessing the health and wellbeing information they need.

The findings of the companion report It goes with the Territory! The views of Older ACT Women about Health and Wellbeing Information reveal that older women rely upon health professionals—particularly GPs—for the majority of their health and wellbeing information. They are also, however, pragmatic about the reality of GP shortages in the ACT and eager to see alternative sources of information for older women in the ACT that can provide them with personalised information that is tailored to their history, circumstances and preferences in the way that information provided by a GP would be.

It goes with the Territory! The Views of Older ACT Women about Health and Wellbeing Information (449 KB)

It goes with the Territory! The Views of Older ACT Women about Health and Wellbeing Information (11500 KB)

Final WCHM Report from Roundtable and Survey involving Older Women (2010)

This report documents the findings from a project by WCHM which aimed to develop an understanding of the issues about including older women in all aspects of service provision and to identify strategies that could lead to an increase in the number of older women involved in decision making roles in stakeholder organisations and the participation of older women in stakeholder organisation services. The results were identified through a Roundtable with services and a survey which explored the views of and the issues for older women in the ACT.

Final WCHM Report from Roundtable and Survey involving Older Women (64 KB)

Final WCHM Report from Roundtable and Survey involving Older Women (242 KB)