Digital literacy training for older Australians – Living Connected and COORDINARE

Initiative: 2.1.01 - Co-design, deliver, promote and participate in consumer digital health literacy programs and integrate with broader government digital literacy programs.

Partners: Living Connected and COORDINARE

In today's world, digital technologies are interwoven into every facet of our lives, making it crucial for all Australians to navigate these tools effectively.

While older Australians are increasingly engaging with digital devices, research shows many still struggle with the pace of technological changes. The 2023 Australian Digital Inclusion Index identified that people over the age of 75 are at particular risk of being left behind.

Addressing this challenge, COORDINARE - South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network has partnered with the non-profit organisation Living Connected since 2023 to deliver essential training on digital health tools to older Australians in the Illawarra region.

Living Connected was founded by retired digital inclusion expert Professor Helen Hasan, one of the first Australian women to forge an academic career in information systems. As Managing Director of Living Connected, Professor Hasan coordinates volunteers to help older Australians learn to use digital devices so they can remain independent, connected and engaged. 

When COORDINARE first approached Living Connected to deliver digital health training for older Australians, My Health Record and the Healthdirect website were at the top of Professor Hasan’s list.

“We knew that certified online information would help people self-manage their health and keep their independence. Through working with clients, we found that they were particularly interested in My Health Record,” Professor Hasan said. 

COORDINARE’s Digital Health Manager, Rohan McKnight said the PHN “actively leverages digital health enablers across all our activities to enhance the connection between providers, consumers and their health information. Our partnerships have been instrumental in delivering impactful initiatives to our community, one example of which was our partnership with Living Connected.” 

Progress so far

Living Connected volunteers have delivered digital health training to more than 60 people in 2023-24. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive – participants were impressed with the range and ease of access to correct and practical health information.  

“Older people like to be in control, to manage things themselves. And if you can get them to do one thing on their device that's meaningful to them, it really helps their confidence to learn more,” Professor Hasan said.

“Participants all came in with different devices, different levels of understanding – some had never installed an app. Many of them came back to our regular Living Connected drop-in sessions to understand the more basic usability issues so they could start downloading and using the my health app as well as others. We’ve found that, once you help a few people, the bush telegraph between older people spreads the word about our service.”

This digital health training has proved so popular with Illawarra’s coastal communities that Living Connected is now regularly invited to run sessions at local libraries and aged care facilities. The team expanded its activities westward during 2024, including Bundanoon and Goulburn.

Outcome 2: Person-centred

This initiative relates to National Digital Health Strategy Outcome 2: Person-centred, which is focused on ensuring that Australians are empowered to look after their health and wellbeing and equipped with the right information and tools.

Strategy Delivery Roadmap

For more information, refer to Roadmap Initiative 2.1.01