Next you need to consider who the stakeholders are in developing and/or implementing an age-friendly plan. Think about both internal and external stakeholders (QLD Government, 2020, p.11).
You should be thinking about:
- Who does what, where and when?
- Who interacts with whom?
- How do they interact with you?
- How do you interact with them?
Brainstorm Possible Stakeholders:
Stakeholders to Consider | Your Stakeholders |
The key personnel in your organisation who should be involved. |
|
Customers or clients and their extended networks. |
|
The residents of a particular location. |
|
Specific community organisations you can collaborate with. |
|
How to Engage Your Stakeholders:
You may need to persuade your stakeholders to about the benefits of a collaborative approach and demonstrate how integral ageing is to their work.
Try thinking of the best way to engage with your stakeholders, here are a few examples:
- Stakeholder workshops where you bring diverse stakeholders together for a common purpose.
- Stakeholder focus groups for older people, community organisations or service providers.
- Online zoom meetings with stakeholders to discuss plans in a way that is more convenient for all schedules.
Engaging Older People:
Older people can be your most valuable resource and should be integral to your planning. Begin talking to older people about what your organisation might do differently. Methods to use for engaging older people can include:
- Surveys
- Focus groups
- Spot feedback forms
- Competitions
- Social media
It is important to choose a method or methods that will help you evaluate any changes made by the action plan. Remember to offer multiple ways for people to provide their input.
References:
– QLD Government. (2020). Queensland: An age-friendly community toolkit. https://www.communities.qld.gov.au/resources/dcdss/seniors/age-friendly-community/qld-age-friendly-toolkit.pdf