Ageing in place is deeply personal
One of the clearest messages from the workshop was that ageing in place is not one-size-fits-all.
For some people, staying at home is about independence and control, remaining in a familiar space where routines, memories, and identity are deeply rooted. For others, it’s about feeling safe, staying connected to family, or living simply and peacefully. Ageing in place isn’t just about where someone lives, but how they live, who they’re connected to, and what matters most to them.
This diversity reminds us that ageing well can’t be reduced to a single housing or care model.
Independence matters, at every stage
Across all conversations, independence came through as central. People spoke about wanting to make their own decisions, manage their own time, and live life on their own terms. Even when health changes or support needs increase, the desire to remain in control doesn’t disappear.
Ageing in place, from this perspective, isn’t about avoiding help, it’s about having choice, dignity, and respect, even as circumstances change.
Family support helps, but it isn’t guaranteed
Family played an important role in many stories, whether through practical help, emotional reassurance, or future planning. But participants were also very aware that family support looks different for everyone.
Not everyone has family nearby. Not everyone feels comfortable asking for help. And not everyone wants to rely heavily on their children or relatives. These reflections highlight why ageing in place can’t depend on family alone, strong community services and accessible systems matter just as much.
*This blog is written by Dr. Saadia Shabnam and Zannatul Tazrin.
What Older Australians Are Starting to Tell Us About Ageing in Place
When older Australians talk about the future, many say the same simple thing:
“I want to stay in my own home.”
This idea, known as ageing in place, has become central to how Australia thinks about ageing, care, and wellbeing. But while the phrase is familiar, what it actually means in real life is far more complex.
Recently, we ran a small pilot workshop as part of our Ageing in Place (AinP) research program. The aim wasn’t to draw big conclusions or speak for all older Australians. Instead, this pilot helped us listen carefully, test our approach, and begin to understand how people themselves describe living well at home as they age.
What we heard was thoughtful, honest, and quietly powerful.
Transport can make or break everyday life
One issue that surfaced again and again was transport.
When driving is no longer possible, daily life can quickly shrink. Getting to appointments, catching up with friends, or even running errands can become difficult. For those with good public transport nearby, ageing in place felt far more achievable. For others, the loss of mobility raised real concerns about isolation and dependence.
In many ways, transport isn’t just about getting around, it’s about staying connected to life.
The aged care system feels hard to navigate
Participants also spoke about how confusing and overwhelming the aged care system can feel. Long wait times, unclear information, and complex processes often discourage people from seeking help early. Even those familiar with aged care described the system as difficult to navigate.
When support is hard to access, people tend to delay asking for help, sometimes until a small issue becomes a crisis. Ageing in place works best when systems are simple, supportive, and easy to understand.
Technology helps… until it doesn’t
Technology came up in mixed ways. It can help people stay connected, access information, and feel safer at home. But it can also frustrate or exclude, especially when systems are hard to use, poorly designed, or assume high digital confidence.
The message was clear: technology needs to meet people where they are. When it’s intuitive and supportive, it can enable ageing in place. When it’s complicated, it can become another barrier.
Homes need to age with people
Finally, people talked about their homes, not just as places to live, but as spaces that need to adapt over time. Small changes like reducing trip hazards, improving accessibility, or planning future modifications can make a big difference to safety and confidence.
A home that supports ageing, rather than works against it, is a key part of living well for longer.
What this pilot tells us, and what comes next
Because this was a pilot workshop with a small group, these insights are only a starting point. They don’t represent all older Australians, and they don’t offer ready-made solutions. What they do offer is direction.
They suggest that ageing in place is about much more than housing. It’s about independence, transport, family and community support, accessible systems, adaptable homes, and technology that genuinely helps.
Most of all, they remind us that ageing is not just a policy issue, it’s a human experience, shaped by stories, identities, and hopes for the future.
These early conversations will guide the next phase of our work, as we continue listening, learning, and co-designing ways to support older Australians to live well at home, on their own terms.
This blog post is based on insights from a pilot Ageing in Place workshop conducted as part of the AinP research program
Join Us and Help Shape the Future of Ageing at Home
Ageing at home is more than a preference. It’s a vision for comfort, independence, and dignity. Your experiences, ideas, and hopes can make a real difference in shaping what ageing at home should look like for older adults in our community.
By taking part in our Ageing at Home Workshop Series, you’ll have the chance to:
- Share what matters most to you about living well at home
- Connect with others who care about building better ageing option.
Whether you prefer to join us on campus or online, your voice is invaluable. We truly hope you’ll be part of this meaningful conversation
