ONE in four older people receiving care through Melville Cares has no friends or family they can call on in an emergency — a sobering statistic that’s prompted a new push to rebuild the social fabric for seniors.
The local home care organisation recently secured a $23,000 Lotterywest grant to upgrade its Willagee-based Friendship Club outdoor area, creating a dementia-friendly garden space where older people from Melville, Fremantle and Cockburn can gather safely.
“Melville Cares support those in our community to continue to live independent, happy and healthy lives,” Bicton MLA Lisa O’Malley said.
“I can’t thank them enough for truly making the electorate of Bicton an even better place to live for so many.”
Ms O’Malley said she was proud to support the Lotterywest grant, noting “Melville Cares has done such important work in our community for over 40 years.”
While the group’s Friendship Club already supports more than 280 locals, the lack of a safe, appropriate outdoor space has limited their ability to provide inclusive activities.
• Melville Cares’ Friendship Club helps combat isolation for seniors.
The need for these spaces is growing. In a recent survey, Melville Cares found 25 per cent of its home care clients had no one they could call on in an emergency — no family, no friends.
It’s not just a heartbreaking statistic. According to researchers from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, social isolation in older adults is strongly linked to higher rates of depression, anxiety and cognitive decline, while good social connections can reduce mortality risk and increase resilience.
A 2023 study by the National Ageing Research Institute found socially isolated older people were twice as likely to report poor mental health and more likely to experience hospital admissions.
Isolation can also accelerate dementia symptoms, as meaningful interaction helps maintain memory, mood and decision-making.
Melville Cares was founded by former mayor June Barton in the 1980s, when she recognised that isolation was already a serious issue for many seniors.
Her community-led model built partnerships and brought people together — a legacy that continues today.
Unfortunately, the existing outdoor area at the Southern Districts Senior Citizens Centre in Willagee is surrounded by car parks and roads and isn’t suitable for people living with dementia, who may wander off.
The Lotterywest grant will fund raised garden beds, a shaded pergola, and safe fencing — all designed to encourage outdoor activities in a sun-safe and dementia-friendly setting.
“With more people living longer at home on their own, isolation can be a major issue,” a spokesperson for Melville Cares said.
They hope the new outdoor space will be a place where seniors can “experience the joy of group activities, building a network of friends they can call on.”