The power of community
By AAG's Communications, Advocacy and Grants Manager (and financial member of AAG), Dr Meg Polacsek
As 2023 draws to a close, many of us are reflecting on the past 12 months and looking ahead to a year that will bring some expected and, no doubt, some unexpected events and experiences. These events and experiences will, of course, be different for all of us. But there is a golden thread that weaves its way through all of our lives: community. No matter its size or location, a community can have a positive impact on our lives.
So, what is ‘community’? Most commonly, community refers to ‘a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common’, or ‘the condition of sharing or having certain attitudes and interests in common’ (thanks, Oxford Dictionary). At best, communities convey a sense of togetherness and solidarity (although we must acknowledge that this is not always the case).
All in all, embracing community helps people live longer and happier lives. In the first UN Decade of Healthy Ageing progress report, released in November 2023, the progress made towards the action area of ‘Ensuring communities foster the abilities of older people’ was notable. A key focus here – and throughout the Decade – is ageism. In many countries, older people are taking action to combat ageism in their communities, including campaigning for change.
In Tanzania, SaveElders engages young volunteers to work with and for older people, undertaking activities to challenge misconceptions and stereotypes about older people. In one initiative, young volunteers work with leaders of older people’s forums to celebrate 50 ‘national legends’, older people who positively impact their communities.
In another hemisphere, the Age Friendly Ireland program ensures that communities foster the abilities of older people through the development of age-friendly cities and communities. Progress to date includes the world’s first age-friendly hospital, stadium, airport, train station and tourist destinations.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, there is a new guide for local authorities, non-profit organisations and older people to co-develop low-cost community projects to improve the lives of older people, including those living with disability.
In South Africa, following disastrous flooding, older people from a residential care facility and other older members of the community volunteered to organise a program for food relief and sourced food, packed hampers and organised logistics. At a time where people could not travel as roads had been washed away, older people stepped up to support their communities.
The best representations of community can be found within AAG’s membership: together, we unlock collective wisdom, offer inspiration and support, and surround ourselves with others with shared goals and values. Professionally, our community benefits from an exchange of knowledge and skills, professional development, and the potential for collaboration. The AAG community is made stronger through rituals (think of T3 landing in your inbox every Thursday), connectedness (the 2023 member survey showed ‘networking’ as the main reason for membership) and a sense of identity (picture our new AAG merchandise). And, of course, we have our new online community. It has become a common phrase, but we really are stronger together.
This blog is also available as a pdf.
Pic: AAG's National Office team, Nov 2023 (L-R): Meg Polacsek, Amber Mills, Renu Borst, Michael Tan, Mish Sharma, Matt Jones and Ell Finlay.