CHANGING THE CONVERSATION: AGING AS AN ASSET

FOCUSING ON INDEPENDENT LIVING; Living at Home, Living Well

For over 35 years, Comlink Australia has been dedicated to supporting aging Australians, ensuring they remain connected to their communities while receiving essential care. What began as a volunteer-run initiative on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland has grown into a leading provider of in-home and community care, delivering comprehensive services that promote independent living.

Today, Comlink Australia operates along the eastern seaboard, from Cairns to Brisbane and into regional hubs like Toowoomba and Bundaberg, as well as Melbourne in Victoria, continually expanding its reach to support more individuals on their aging journey. With a strong commitment to making a national impact, Comlink Australia is growing its presence in Victoria, paving the way to extend its services across more communities throughout Australia.

From Transport To Total Care

Initially focused on community transport and social support for aging, isolated, or vulnerable individuals, Comlink Australia has evolved in response to the sector’s changing needs. The organization underwent a significant transformation following the Royal Commission report on aged care quality.

Liam Mayo, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, explains, “We’ve moved the business significantly to become an in-home and community care provider. We’ve worked hard and invested significantly to build our in-home and community care capabilities.”

Empowering Independence

Comlink Australia’s mission centers on supporting clients in living and aging well in their homes and communities. Their services help individuals maintain independence while staying connected.

“Our major focus has been not just on keeping people connected to their communities through social inclusion activities and transport provisions but also in-home care,” Mayo states.

Home care services provide tailored support packages that cater to individual needs and aspirations, ensuring clients receive the assistance they require to live on their terms. 

Community transport offers door-to-door services with a fleet equipped to accommodate various mobility needs, allowing clients to attend medical appointments, go shopping, or participate in social activities safely and confidently. 

Social support programs aim to maintain social connections through individual and group activities that promote physical activity, cognitive stimulation, and emotional well-being.

Engaging Mind And Body

Recognizing the importance of holistic well-being, Comlink Australia offers a variety of activities and outings that promote healthy aging. These range from traditional games like Mahjong and bingo to more adventurous pursuits such as hikes and photography field trips.

“Just last week, we did a whale-watching tour on the Sunshine Coast and in Hervey Bay,” Mayo shares. “We try to provide a diversity of healthy aging activities that keep people engaged in the community while embracing the aging process.”

To further support clients with special needs or complex care requirements, Comlink Australia employs a team of specialist care providers who undergo regular training to enhance their competencies. “We have a team of specialist care providers who are trained and regularly upskilled to support people with highly specialized or complex needs,” Mayo notes. The organization also partners with external providers to ensure seamless and integrated service models, linking clients to the necessary support systems within their communities.

Comlink Australia also collaborates with external health professionals and support networks to deliver an integrated and holistic approach to care, ensuring clients have access to the resources they need to thrive.

Transforming The Culture Of Aging

Aging Australians face several challenges when attempting to remain at home, including social isolation, access to healthcare, and maintaining physical and cognitive health. Limited mobility, chronic illnesses, and inadequate support systems often force older adults to transition into residential care earlier than they would prefer.

The healthcare system, while robust, can be complex and challenging to navigate for aging individuals who require frequent specialist appointments and consistent care. Furthermore, many seniors— especially those in regional areas or without close family nearby—struggle with loneliness, significantly impacting their mental health and overall wellbeing.

Comlink Australia addresses these challenges by offering services that foster social connections, provide reliable transport to medical appointments, and deliver in-home care tailored to individual needs.

“We’re challenged in Australia by what I would call a culture of aging,” Mayo observes. “We see aging as a deficit, but that’s profoundly short-sighted. Aging is an asset to all of us in the community.”

To demonstrate this, Comlink Australia has introduced the “Paper Planes” program in partnership with Edge Early Learning. This intergenerational initiative fosters meaningful interactions between seniors and young children, creating lasting social connections that benefit both groups.

By changing the conversation around aging, Comlink Australia ensures that older individuals receive the practical support they need while fostering an environment where they feel valued and empowered to live fulfilling, independent lives.

Merging Technology And Care

Looking ahead, Comlink Australia is set to expand its services and initiatives to redefine how Australians experience aging. A key part of this vision is the Vitality Village project, a pioneering initiative launching on the Sunshine Coast as a pilot program.

This facility now houses a Vitality Movement Centre, featuring cutting-edge technology designed to monitor and enhance clients’ mobility and cognitive functions. By integrating real-time data tracking with personalized intervention programs, the centre actively, healthily, and independently supports older adults in aging.

The centre is staffed by qualified exercise physiologists who utilise state-of-the-art assessment tools and tailored fitness programs to support individuals at every stage of ageing. Their team of exercise physiologists are trained and continually upskilled to help clients improve mobility, strength, and overall quality of life.

“We want to pilot it on the Sunshine Coast, but it’s our vision to have a Vitality Village in every major centre in Australia in the coming decades,” says Mayo. “Our vision is to create a nationwide network of facilities that empower people to take control of their health journey—not just about care, but about living well and aging well.”

Comlink Australia’s partnership with the University of the Sunshine Coast is a significant component of this initiative, helping to advance research and best practices in healthy aging. “We’ve built a strong ecosystem of partnerships,” Mayo explains. 

“By collaborating with the University and other leading providers, we ensure that our clients are connected to innovative, evidence-based programs that enhance their quality of life.” These partnerships bridge research with real-world applications, integrating new approaches into Comlink Australia’s service offerings.

Gamifying Healthy Aging

One of the most exciting additions to the Healthy Aging Movement Center is Comlink Australia’s collaboration with eGym, a German fitness and leisure technology firm.

As the first provider in Australia to establish a fully equipped eGym circuit tailored for aging populations, Comlink Australia is introducing a tech-integrated, gamified approach to health and mobility. This system allows clients to track their physical and cognitive progress while participating in customized fitness programs to support long-term well-being.

“With eGym, we’ve created an environment where aging is managed and optimized,” Mayo shares. “The data we collect is highly individualized, allowing us to shape our programming based on real client outcomes. This ensures that every intervention we implement is effective and measurable, supporting our mission to transform aging into a dynamic and empowered experience.”

Pride In Aged Care

Comlink Australia has been recognized for revitalizing the aged care sector, making it an attractive and respected field for young professionals. By emphasizing culture, open communication, and accountability, the organization has built a work environment where staff feel deeply connected to their purpose and take pride in their contributions to the well-being of older Australians.

Although Comlink Australia never deliberately set out to rebrand aged care, it has naturally become known as an innovative and exciting workplace that attracts and retains young, highly engaged professionals.

“People want to work with us because we feel like a young and exciting organization, even though we’ve been around for over 35 years,” says Mayo.

A Culture Of Purpose

Comlink Australia’s strong cultural foundation is rooted in its ability to attract and retain young talent. From recruitment to onboarding and daily operations, the organization intentionally reinforces its values, ensuring employees feel a strong sense of belonging and purpose.

“Culture is our number one priority,” Mayo emphasizes. “We’re very upfront during recruitment—if what we do here isn’t for you, that’s okay. But if you want to be part of a purpose-driven team where we hold each other accountable to a high standard, we’d love to have you on this journey.”

Sustaining Momentum

A strong workplace culture and open communication create a foundation for success, but maintaining momentum requires energy, excitement, and celebration.

“We make a point to celebrate wins—big and small so our people continue to feel positive and motivated about their work,” Mayo shares.

This positive reinforcement has helped Comlink Australia lead the way in redefining aged care as an aspirational and respected profession. “What we’ve built is more than just an organization—it’s a movement,” Mayo reflects. “We’re not just supporting individuals in their aging journey; we’re reshaping how society views aging, aged care, and the people working there.”

At a Glance

Who: Comlink Australia

What: A non-profit organization dedicated to supporting older Australians through services such as home care, community transport, and social support, enabling them to live independently.

Where: Queensland, Australia

Website: www.comlinkaustralia.com.au

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