Advancing evidence-based healthy ageing
Wellness 2 Age (formerly the Ageing Well Program) was first developed and piloted at Charles Sturt University in regional New South Wales in response to the growing need for evidence-based healthy ageing programs that simultaneously support physical, cognitive, and social wellbeing.
The initial pilot evaluation demonstrated strong community interest, high participant engagement, and positive improvements in cognition and mobility outcomes for older people living in the community.
Following the success of the pilot, the team secured a HCF Research Foundation Translational Research Grant to undertake a larger clinical trial of the program across multiple real-world service settings, including:
- Public health outpatient services
- Private allied health settings
- Community-based aged care services
This translational research focus enabled the program to move beyond a university-based pilot into practical implementation across diverse health and aged care environments.
More recently, the Wellness 2 Age team was successfully awarded funding through the Primary Health Network Healthy Ageing Funding Initiative to evaluate the program in partnership with a not-for-profit organisation, further strengthening the evidence base and scalability of the program across the aged care and community sectors.
Across multiple evaluations and implementation settings, Wellness 2 Age has consistently demonstrated improvements in:
- Cognition and memory strategies
- Mobility and confidence in daily activities
- Social engagement and participation
- Quality of life and wellbeing for older people living in the community
Reference: Nott, M. T., Robson, K. M., Murphy, K., Pope, R. P., Cuming, T., & Curtin, M. (2019). Ageing well: pilot evaluation of a dual‐task training program in a rural community. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 27(4), 311-316.
This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of the original Ageing Well Program with community-dwelling older adults in regional Australia.
The program used a dual-task approach, combining physical movement with cognitive challenges designed to reflect everyday functional activities. Sessions included activities targeting balance, mobility, memory, attention, and problem-solving within simulated real-life environments such as cafés, supermarkets, and home settings.
Key findings
Participants demonstrated:
- Improved cognitive function and reduced impact of cognitive difficulties on everyday activities
- Improved functional mobility and walking endurance
- Improved balance and mobility performance
- High levels of engagement and attendance
- Strong participant demand and program acceptability
Participants in the intervention group walked 12% further in the Six Minute Walk Test following the program, while the control group showed no improvement.
The study concluded that the program was feasible, safe, and effective for older adults living in rural communities and supported further large-scale implementation and evaluation.
Reference: Robson, K., Nott, M. T., Cuming, T., Murphy, K., Curtin, M., & Pope, R. (2024). Understanding What Older People Value in the Design of a Community‐Based Healthy Ageing Program, a Qualitative Study. Health & Social Care in the Community, 2024(1), 6438553.
This qualitative study explored older people’s experiences of participating in the Wellness 2 Age program and identified the aspects participants valued most.
Three key themes emerged:
- The value of addressing multiple aspects of ageing simultaneously
- Learning practical strategies to support ageing well
- Translating skills into everyday life
Participants highlighted that the combination of cognitive, physical, and social activities made the program feel meaningful and relevant to daily life. They particularly valued learning practical strategies that could be transferred directly into home and community environments.
Key findings
Participants reported:
- Increased confidence in everyday activities
- Improved awareness of falls prevention and safety strategies
- Better understanding of memory and cognitive strategies
- Increased social confidence and engagement
- Greater ability to apply strategies within daily life
Importantly, participants valued that the program focused on healthy ageing goals rather than requiring a specific diagnosis.
Reference: Timmermans, E., Robson, K., & Curtin, M. (2023). The perceived long-term impact of an ageing well program. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 47(2), 113-132.
This study explored the longer-term impacts of the program 12 months after participation.
Participants described ongoing benefits related to:
- Cognitive strategies and memory support
- Physical activity and balance confidence
- Social engagement and confidence
- Greater awareness of healthy ageing behaviours
Key findings
Participants continued to:
- Use mindfulness and memory strategies in everyday life
- Apply falls prevention and mobility strategies at home
- Increase participation in physical and social activities
- Feel more confident and socially connected
Participants described the program as providing an “anchor point” for understanding and maintaining their wellbeing over time.
The findings suggest that the program supported sustainable behaviour change and ongoing healthy ageing practices beyond the completion of the program.
Reference: van der Veen, R. J., Robson, K., & Curtin, M. (2024). The Perceived Impact of the Intergenerational Component of an Ageing Well Program. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 22(4), 534-549.
This study explored the impact of including university allied health students within the Wellness 2 Age program.
The research found that the intergenerational component:
- Supported relationship-building between older adults and students
- Improved students’ understanding of ageing and healthy ageing
- Increased confidence in working with older people
- Helped challenge stereotypes and age-related assumptions
The findings highlighted the potential for Wellness 2 Age to contribute not only to healthy ageing outcomes for participants, but also to future workforce capability and positive attitudes toward working with older people.
A feature article in Australian Ageing Agenda highlighted Wellness 2 Age as an innovative evidence-based approach supporting older Australians to remain active, independent, and socially connected within their communities.
The article emphasised:
- The growing importance of preventative healthy ageing initiatives
- The program’s evidence-based dual-task approach
- Real-world implementation across aged care and community settings
- Positive participant outcomes in cognition, mobility, confidence, and social engagement
- The importance of scalable healthy ageing models within aged care reform and ageing-in-place priorities
The article also highlighted the translation of university-led research into practical community implementation through partnerships across the health and aged care sectors.
Click here to access this article which can be found on pages 52 – 53
Ongoing commitment to evaluation
Wellness 2 Age continues to be evaluated through implementation partnerships and research collaborations to ensure the program remains evidence-based, scalable, and responsive to the needs of older Australians and the organisations that support them.
Bring Wellness 2 Age to Your Community
Interested in delivering an evidence-based healthy ageing program within your organisation or community?
We welcome opportunities to partner with health services, aged care providers, allied health organisations, and community groups to support older Australians to age well.
Contact us to learn more about program delivery, training, partnerships, or research collaborations.