ENJOY

Active ageing in the outdoors for older people: working together for a healthier world

Creating inclusive and accessible outdoor environments that encourage and provide opportunities for older adults to engage in physical activity and social interaction is important for healthy ageing.

The National Ageing Research Institute in partnership with several local governments, government bodies and stakeholders have been working together to create age-friendly outdoor spaces for older people to engage in physical and social activities for healthier and liveable cities and communities in Victoria.

The design of outdoor public spaces, including parks, leisure spaces and outdoor exercise equipment should be inclusive of all ages and abilities. We have provided some practical recommendations and suggestions for the design of age friendly outdoor spaces.

For further details please contact the project leader Professor Pazit Levinger.

The ENJOY trial: Exercise interveNtion outdoor proJect in the cOmmunitY

The ENJOY project provides a unique opportunity for outdoor physical and social activities, tailored to the needs of older people.

The ENJOY research project is a partnership between the National Ageing Research Institute and Whittlesea City Council, Wyndham City Council, Old Colonists’ Association of Victoria and Gandel Philanthropy.

The ENJOY project evaluates the effects of sustained engagement in physical activity on mental health and physical outcomes through the use of a community-based novel outdoor physical activity program for older people - the Seniors Exercise Park.

The project provides a unique opportunity for outdoor physical activity that is tailored to the needs of older people, who are an at-risk group for sedentary-related illnesses. It also facilitates social connection and community engagement, while supporting mental health.

Results from the ENJOY project suggest that the Seniors Exercise Park may be an effective way of improving older people’s physical function and wellbeing. It can also be an important investment in public health infrastructure that promotes physical activity for older people.

The ENJOY project's achievements

Winner of the 2021 Vic/Tas Parks and Leisure Australia Research Award

Finalist in the Leading Health Promotion Research Category in the 2021 VicHealth awards.

Featured on the Heart Foundation’s Healthy Active by Design Website (HAbD) for promoting healthy and active ageing in the community.

Finalist in the Promoting Health Through Physical Activity and Sport Category in the 2019 VicHealth Awards.

Research Support

Gandel Philanthropy, State Trustees Foundation of Australia, The Brockhoff Foundation.

Latest

Living Longer, Ageing Well: Investing for Older Victorians

NARI's submission to the Victorian Government for the 2024/25 State Budget calls on the Victorian Government to back new research and workforce training to keep Victorians healthier and living at home for longer.
NARI state budget submission 2024/2025: Living longer, ageing well - Investing for older Victorians

NARI outlines that our priorities for the 2024/25 Victorian Budget are focused on investing in the health and wellbeing of older Victorians so that, as people live longer, they can age well.
NARI Calls for State Budget to Secure Future of Healthy Ageing

Ahead of next month’s State Budget, the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) is calling on the Victorian Government to back new research and workforce training to keep Victorians healthier and living at home for longer.
Ageing Well - April 2024

NARI's newsletter Ageing Well - April 2024

Relevant research publications

The ENJOY project has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles on aspects of the program.
ENJOY for Independence in Dementia

This current pilot study is evaluating the feasibility of delivering the Seniors Exercise Park program for people living with mild to moderate dementia in residential aged care.
ENJOY IMP-ACT

The ENJOY IMP-ACT project is an implementation research project designed to increase participation in physical activity to improve health outcomes for older people in Victoria.
ENJOY MAP for HEALTH

The ENJOY MAP for HEALTH project is a partnership between Banyule City Council, the City of Ballarat and the National Ageing Research Institute funded through the State Trustees Foundation of Australia.
What is the Seniors Exercise Park?

The Seniors Exercise Park is an outdoor exercise equipment includes multiple stations specifically designed for older people to improve strength, balance, joint movements, mobility and function.

Falls risk for older People in the community: FROP-Com

The Falls Risk for Older People in the Community (FROP-Com and FROP-Com Screen) are tools used in the community for assessment or screening of falls risk.
Age-positive language guide

As part of our commitment to combatting ageism, NARI has developed an age-positive language guide. The guide provides practical examples of how words, phrases, and images can better portray older people and combat ageism.
Indigenous Cognitive Assessment: Regional and Urban KICA

The regional and urban KICA is an instrument to assess dementia in older Aboriginal people in regional and urban settings.
What is the Seniors Exercise Park?

The Seniors Exercise Park is an outdoor exercise equipment includes multiple stations specifically designed for older people to improve strength, balance, joint movements, mobility and function.
Victorian falls and balance service directory

The Victorian Falls and Balance Service Directory provides details of the clinics and programs operated by public hospitals and community health services in Victoria for older people who have had a fall or are at risk of falling.
Research participants

Make a difference in the lives of older people and those who care for them by volunteering to be involved in research.
Grief in Older People and its Effect on Healthcare Use

Examines the effects of grief in older people on healthcare use from the perspective of (a) the older bereaved person who is experiencing grief and (b) GPs who are treating grieving older people.
MINDSET: Free training to interpreters for Dementia Assessments

MINDSET is providing free specialist online dementia training to all interpreters across Australia regardless of level or language!
How to stay active at home - Exercises for older people

NARI's exercise videos can help older people stay active at home, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when you may not be as physically active outdoors. The exercises were developed by allied health professionals with expertise in exercise for older people.
Pain Management Guide (PMG) Toolkit for Aged Care, 2nd edition

The PMG toolkit, 2nd edition is a free resource to help implement the book Pain in Residential Aged Care Facilities: Management Strategies, 2nd Edition.