Abstract: While there is strong evidence of the need for healthy ageing programs for older Aboriginal Australians, few are available. It is important to understand older Aboriginal Australians’ perspectives on healthy ageing in order to co-design culturally-appropriate programs, including views on technology use in this context. These findings can be applied in the implementation and evaluation of culturally-appropriate, healthy ageing programs with older Aboriginal people.

Materials and Methods: 
A convenience sample of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander men and women aged 50 years and older, living in regional (mid-north coast) and urban (greater Sydney) New South Wales (NSW), were recruited for this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant from the regional communities in 2014 and from urban communities in 2017. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded using a grounded theory approach. The transcripts were analysed and closely examined for similarities and differences while looking for interrelated issues using the constant comparative method, which is a method used to develop grounded theory. Though the study was not designed to generate theory, the structured approach of grounded theory was considered an appropriate methodology for researchers conducting research with a cultural group different from their own.

Results:
Social isolation and loneliness were commonly described by participants, attributed to several factors. Many mentioned chronic health issues, poor mobility, and lack of transport as interconnected hindrances to the ability to leave the house and to care for themselves. Participants also expressed how effects of the Stolen Generations and loss of land are with people today. Many participants spoke about their worry regarding the mental health of younger generations, including depression, anxiety, suicide, and drug use. Several participants identified the need for greater support and counselling to help people in the community cope with grief and loss. Participants also reported poor access to health services. This was discussed in terms of the shortage of medical staff, distance to services and transport difficulties, and insufficient outreach and awareness of available services. It was also expressed that there is also difficulty older people face when accessing services through technological platforms.

Conclusions:
This study has established that the needs of older Aboriginal people as they age are complex, emphasises the value of the collaborative development of health programs for Aboriginal people, and has identified meaningful aspects to be incorporated into a culturally-responsive, healthy ageing program. These aspects include cultural safety, a holistic program which comprises physical activity, cognitive training, social interaction, and health education, and which maintains family, community, cultural identity, and empowerment regarding ageing well as its central tenets. This study also provides preliminary evidence for the use of technology as a viable platform for the delivery of health programs.