The Department of Communities encourages and supports the development of age-friendly communities in Western Australia.
Age-friendly communities are those that are inclusive and accessible for people of all ages. This encompasses spaces and places, programs and initiatives that make a community better for all residents including children, young people, parents, and older adults.
An age-friendly community is one that:
- recognises the great diversity among older people
- promotes inclusion and contribution in all areas of community life
- respects decisions and lifestyle choices
- anticipates and responds to age-related needs and preferences.
When developing an age-friendly community, older adults can have their opinions heard on services, supports, and activities that would enhance their lives and their community.
Communities has launched Creating Age-Friendly Communities in Western Australia, 2021 (also known as the Age-friendly Communities Toolkit)—a revised version of the original toolkit published in 2006.
Based on the World Health Organisation’s Global age-friendly cities: a guide (The Guide), the Toolkit establishes a best-practice benchmark for creating age-friendly communities, irrespective of population size or geographical location.
Age-friendly Communities Connectivity Grants Program
Grants of up to $15,000 per project. Available for local governments and incorporated not-for-profit community organisations to implement age-friendly, active and positive ageing, and other seniors-related strategies that focus on challenging ageism, reducing loneliness and improving older people's connections within their local community.
For the first time, grants are also available through a new stream available to support local governments progress work to join the World Health Organisation’s Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities (WHO GNAFCC). Find out more about the Age-friendly Communities Connectivity Grants Program
2024 Grants Recipients
Age-friendly Communities Connectivity Grants Recipients 2024, (PDF, 222KB)
Local Government Professionals Age-friendly Community Network
Local governments are perfectly placed to support and implement age-friendly communities due to the connection and knowledge of their local community.
Community Development officers that focus on enhancing the lives of older adults in their community are welcome to join the Local Government (LG) Professionals Age-friendly Network. The Network aims to increase awareness and understanding of age-friendly communities in Western Australia.
Find out more about LG Professionals Age-Friendly Network
Age-friendly Home Maintenance Toolkit
To get the most out of your home, it is important to take a good look around and attend to any maintenance issues early. By doing so, your home will continue to be an enjoyable place in which to live for many years.
The Age-friendly Home Maintenance Toolkit has been developed to present ideas on how to identify and address common maintenance issues. The suggestions in this toolkit are flexible; you can choose whatever tips suit you best. Please note that any major modifications to your home may require council approval.
