“Healthy ageing is your mind staying young” – Koori Growing Old Well Study participant

Healthy ageing calls for cognitively, physically and socially active lifestyles. Yet, consultations with communities have highlighted the importance of addressing health and wellbeing in a holistic way. Our StandingTall with Our Mob Project (STOMP!) aims to support the wellbeing of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a new, positive approach to health that focuses on ​“ageing well” for older people. This holistic approach will aim to improve or maintain cognitive, social, emotional and physical wellbeing as community members move into older age.

STOMP! Is a randomised controlled trial that includes three main components:

1. a home-based exercise program offering balance exercises through a tablet computer (StandingTall);
2. a group mindfulness-based stress-reduction program (Ngarraanga Giinganay), to improve social and emotional well-being and reduce the impact of stress through cultural connection; and
3. a Healthy Ageing Education component.

These programs will be trialed individually and in combination to determine the most feasible and effective strategy for active and healthy ageing. All of these programs have previously been developed and piloted in collaboration with Aboriginal community members and experts in Aboriginal health.