The LGBTIQ People Ageing Well project commenced in April 2017 as a 12-month joint project between COTA SA and the South Australian Rainbow Advocacy Alliance (SARAA), funded by the then Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI). The main aim of the project was to engage with older people from South Australia’s LGBTI+ communities to find out what matters most to them as they age to better inform policy and create a groundswell for change to the policies that impact on the lives of older LGBTI+ people. The project also celebrated the lives and contributions of older LGBTI+ people.

Their stories and lived experiences have the power to promote a greater understanding of a unique set of issues, but also the power to create changes that will support and enhance the lives of South Australia’s older LGBTI+ population.

One of the key issues that arose through the conversations with older LGBTI+ people was aged care and in particular the concerns people had about accessing services as they aged. It was on the strength of these findings that COTA SA applied to become the SA partner with the Silver Rainbow project.

A CHSP Sector Support and Development project, this is a ‘how to’ about relationship building through capturing aged care client stories.

COTA SA proudly provided Silver Rainbow Training to aged care providers until June 2024. Delivered by expert trainers with lived experience, many aged care workers benefited from this valuable training.

Please refer to LGBTI Health Australia for alternative training providers.

Silver Rainbow Communities of Practice Outcomes include:

A CHSP Sector Support and Development project, COTA SA and Rural City of Murray Bridge created the Will I Be Safe? Video and leaflet, both as a practical resource for LGBTIQ+ elders when choosing aged care providers, and for aged care providers to have a deeper understanding about providing appropriate aged care services.