09/08/2026
At Busselton Physiotherapy Centre we know that our work with clients physical health is always intertwined with their psychological and social health. Being active contributes enormously to being able to live a purposeful and connected life.
When people are living with physical disabilities or persistent pain they will often find this can contribute to social isolation and ultimately what is known as social frailty.
Over the life span Social Health is increasingly recognised as a key component of healthy ageing. It encompasses an individual’s ability to maintain meaningful relationships, participate in society, access social supports and having a sense of inclusion and belonging. This is not a challenge for a small part of our community with 2024 data indicating that 1 in 4 Australians frequently feel very lonely. Coupled with the challenge of an ageing population, this is a significant issue.
Physical and cognitive frailty have been studied at considerable length and receive increasing recognition as issues in home and aged care contexts. Social frailty has received less attention but is starting to be recognised as a critical dimension of healthy ageing. Deterioration in social health can indeed be a warning light for the pending development of other health impairments as we age.
Leading international researcher Assistant Professor Dr Ben Ho from The University of Hong Kong was keynote speaker at the recent 3rd Annual TRACS Diversity Research Network Symposium at ECU. It was great to have been invited to attend Day 3 on social health with the relevance of this to my work in the fields of Persistent Pain Management where social activation and prescribing are central to strong biopsychosocial outcomes. Ben summarised the concept of social health and frailty with the phrase “To age well is to remain connected”.
Some great presentations covering themes of meaningful connection across generations, with volunteer support systems, with communities of origin for immigrants, in the context of neurodiverse individuals and in the therapeutic alliances of optimal healthcare in areas such as persistent pain management.
Congratulations to Prof Sanetta Du Toit and Prof Loretta Baldassar and all involved in bringing the symposium together. Fantastic to see the symposium held in the impressive Central Perth Campus of ECU.