LiveLighter Aged Care Games

Summary

The LiveLighter Aged Care Games is an annual event run for seniors in care that is delivered by the Seniors Recreation Council of WA and is designed to provide an opportunity for people in ‘care’ situations to experience team participation and light competition, as well as social interaction, through adapted games in a community recreation facility.
The event includes four fun and engaging game-based activities adapted for all abilities with games played in teams that rotate through the games (seated hockey, seated pass ball, bean bag toss and skittles). At the conclusion of the event, participants are awarded medals, trophies and plaques.
Local care agencies can get involved and those participating in the games find that during the months leading up to the event they work with the clients to practice each of the games. They also dedicate time and effort to develop uniforms, flags, signs etc. anything to help them be chosen as the ‘Best Presented Team’. With a perpetual trophy (Cup) and small replica plus Gold Medals awarded to the winners and Silver and Bronze Medals awarded to the runners up; all other participants receive a participation medal.

Website: https://www.srcwa.asn.au/22nd-north-metro-livelighter-aged-care-games/

Key facts

Main target group: Older people with chronic health conditions or disability

Other target group(s): The project specifically targets seniors in care, not only those living in residential aged care settings but also those in day care and who are receiving care in their own homes.

Sector(s): Health, Long-term care, Social protection

Desired outcome for older people:
Be mobile

Other issues the Age-friendly practice aims to address:

Healthy behaviours (e.g. physical activity)
Intergenerational activities
Inclusion
Participation

Contact details

Name: Alison Leitch

Email address: communitydevelopment@wanneroo.wa.gov.au

Age-friendly practice in detail (click to expand):

Engaging the wider community

Project lead: Civil Society Organisation

Others involved in the project:

Local authorities
Civil Society Organisation
Older People’s Association
Social or health care provider
Volunteers
Private sector
Research institution

How collaboration worked: This project was conceived and delivered by the Seniors Recreation Council of WA – a not-for-profit non-government organisation set up in the early 1990s in Western Australia. The SRCWA exists to develop and implement a number of innovative programs to foster the participation of people over 50 years in sport and physical and mental activity. SRCWA managed the project and delivered it with the assistance of a number of volunteers. The SRCWA sought funding from the City of Wanneroo to deliver the event at a City venue for the first time in 2025. The Seniors Recreation Council of WA led the project and have run the LiveLighter Aged Care Games within the Perth North Metro Region for 21 years. SRCWA collaborates with local aged care agencies that incorporate games and planning for the event into their weekly programming for residents. Over the years, the SRCWA has collaborated with the Department of Communities, Department of Sport, Healthway, the Heart Foundation, various local governments and numerous care agencies. On this occasion, SRCWA collaborated with the City of Wanneroo which provided funding for venue and equipment hire. The project is also supported through funding from naming rights partner LiveLighter Healthway WA.

Older people’s involvement: Older people were involved in the age-friendly practice at multiple or all stages

Details on older people’s involvement: The Aged Care Games have been adapted to provide a socially enjoyable competitive event for seniors in care. The approach has been refined through feedback and input from participants over the many years we have been delivering these types of events. Our volunteers, who are also seniors, provide a safe and happy environment for all participants. Participants come from a range of care settings including residential care and home-based care arrangements.

Moving forward

Has the impact of this age-friendly practice been analysed: No

Do you plan to evaluate your age-friendly practice? No

Feedback:
Everyone was very happy with the event with comments like “I can’t wait for next year’s games”, “I’ve been coming to the games for years and this was the best yet”; we had two participants who were100 years old and they both commented on how fantastic the event was and how happy they were to be part of it. Everybody went home happy and all the participants and teams are keen to participate again next year. We also had 2 people from the public enquiring about volunteering with our organisation as they were very impressed with the event. City of Wanneroo Councillor Natalie Herridge officially opened the event on behalf of the City of Wanneroo and was very impressed with the event. She posted on Facebook “My cup was filled this morning in having the pleasure in officially opening the latest round of the Seniors Recreation Council of WA Inc. LiveLighter Aged Care Games held at Kingsway Indoor Stadium for the first time. Huge thanks to Colin, Dawn, Jill & Richard and all of the volunteers in making me feel so welcome. I had such a fabulous time I stayed longer for most the games. You’ve got me now as a lifelong supporter!”

Expansion plans:
Although we haven’t done a formal evaluation, the event is evaluated over the day through detailed conversations held with all teams and the President of SRCWA. Through these conversations we identify any suggestions and/or improvements for next year. We may possibly work with the City of Wanneroo in the future to do a more formal evaluation using the theory of change and logic model they have developed for age-friendly practices. Yes, this is an annual event and we will continue to hold it at Kingsway Indoor Stadium. Due to the size of the venue, there is the opportunity to increase the number of teams in future years. Each year SRCWA look for support from different organisations however the funding we have received from Healthway will be ongoing. We are also continuing to work with the City of Wanneroo. For instance, on Thursday 19 March 2026, SRCWA proudly partnered with the City to deliver a successful LiveLighter Activity Information Day at the Pearsall Hocking Community Centre. As well as information stalls there were hands-on activities, including archery, heart sports, and pole walking. Around 130 people attended the event, demonstrating strong interest in staying active, informed, and connected. Attendees had the opportunity to explore services from 20 local organisations, all focused on supporting seniors. We will continue to work with the City to expand our local offerings in this region.

Looking back

Reflections:
Part of the success of the program is that it is not just a one-day event but that the seniors engage in weekly activities in the lead up to the event. Collaboration with other agencies is critical for this to happen. Our next challenge will be engaging with more agencies and planning a bigger and better event next year.

Challenges:
The biggest challenge was having a larger venue which required changes to be made to the layout. There were also issues on the day with one piece of equipment but we had a replacement option we were able to deploy. Having contingencies for those kinds of things is important to develop in the planning stage.