Health and safety

• Safe and active older women
  • Accessible transport
  • Housing
  • Promoting safety
  • Reducing social isolation
  • Retirement and financial security
  • Supporting caring

Reducing social isolation

Housing assistance

The Older People's Action Program (OPAP) is a long-standing program which aims to increase the social participation of older Queenslanders and address barriers that restrict their participation, such as concerns for safety. Projects funded under OPAP have two aims:

• Increase older people's social participation in the community (Social Participation Projects) and opportunities for independence.
• Reduce older people's fear of crime and increase their sense of safety and security in their communities (Safe and Confident Living Projects).

The target group for this program is older people over 50 years who are at risk of social isolation for reasons including fear of crime, living alone, low income, living in a disadvantaged area, and lack of access to information technology. Most activities are targeted to, or relevant for, older women. Funded organisations undertake a variety of activities including:

• linking seniors to services and supports available within their local communities
• social and personal development activities that enhance life skills, participation and confidence in community living
• volunteer and self-help initiatives which support seniors and strengthen communities
• community education to increase awareness regarding the needs of seniors.

Contact the Older People's Action Program nearest you.

Reducing the social isolation of older people in Queensland

The cross-government project, 'Reducing the social isolation of older people in Queensland', aims to identify sustainable and evidence-based models that can reduce social isolation in older people and therefore represents an opportunity to identify emerging best practice initiatives. The demonstration projects include the following:

• Social Inclusion Project - Brisbane City Council
• Culturally Appropriate Volunteer Services (CAVS) - Multicultural Development Association
• Steady Steps Falls Prevention Program - Fitness Queensland Association
• Connecting Points Project - Hervey Bay City Council
• Seniors Connecting - Greenvale State School Parents and Citizens Association.

Older Women's Network

Older Women's Network is a self-help organisation run by older women, promoting the rights, dignity, and well-being of older women with a focus on healthy living. Older Women's Network - Queensland organises programs, provides a platform for issues for older women in the state, and runs events throughout South-East Queensland. Contact Older Women's Network Queensland on (07) 3358 2307.

GOLD - Growing Older Living Dangerously

Growing Older Living Dangerously (Non-Queensland Government website) is run by the Brisbane City Council and provides a range of activities for Brisbane residents over 50, from canoeing to bush-walking and surfing.

The Queensland Government and the Heart Foundation's Just Walk It (Non-Queensland Government website) program coordinates free walking groups throughout Queensland.