Judith, Co-designer
For the past three decades, Judith and her husband Brian have worked in and operated a career development business.
On the back of a career spent working in disability and childcare, Judith had a passion for empowering people who are less advantaged.
Today at age 87, Judith is not full time in her business, but offers services to those in need, however, she continues to use her experience and skills built over an extensive career to give back and contribute to the future.
One way Judith gives back is through participation in co-design research projects, where she can use her experience to ask questions and find solutions to problems.
“I worked in my business full time until I was 82, and then I stepped back to a part time role over the next three years, which I would have continued if it wasn’t for COVID and the lockdowns,” said Judith.
While COVID forced Judith to take a step back, in mid-2020, an infection put her in hospital, where for the first time in her life, Judith felt completely dependent.
“When I was in hospital, I got a real insight into what it was like to have little or no control over my surroundings, and I hated it.
“I was angry that I couldn’t take control, and when I saw other older people in a similar situation and started reading about aged care homes and keeping abreast of the Royal Commission into Aged Care, I got angry – anger is a good motivator for me, and I wanted to do something about it.”
After getting out of hospital, Judith weighed up her options around how she could contribute to a future where older people are able to keep a sense of control – she wanted to advocate for them.
“Before COVID happened, I had participated in a Care Hack with Flinders University – they had been looking at how to improve the experience of older people in Care Homes, and while I had no healthcare experience, I wanted to get involved, so I asked if I could help.
“Professor Jen Tieman from Flinders University invited me to be a judge for those involved in the Care Hack, and for two days I worked closely with the hackers, who worked to create ideas that could be put into operation,” explained Judith.
It was this memory and experience that showed Judith she had valuable experience and something of value to contribute.
After getting out of hospital, Judith looked for similar opportunities, where her experiences would allow her to advocate for and help build a better future for others. She contacted The Global Centre for Modern Ageing (GCMA) after attending the launch and listening to them describe co-design.
“I went to one of the very early co-design events the GCMA put on and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Better yet, I was able to provide some good contributions, which were considered and welcomed.
“Attending the co-design event, it really registered in me, that I am an expert in my own life experiences, and am worth Iistening to,” said Judith.
For Judith, the principles of co-design, which she explains is a process in which a diverse collection of stakeholders sit down together to find a solution to a problem, through constant reevaluation processes that sees input and outputs adapt and change throughout the process, were something she was drawn to and aligned with.
“The most important principle of co-design to me is that it is shared power – everyone involved in the process has equal power and equal influence,” Judith said.
“Working with the GCMA, it’s always a privilege as they have brilliant researchers and facilitators who make the learning and research processes truly participatory.
“As someone who deeply believes in advocating for others, co-design affords me the opportunity to be involved in developing a solution for a product or service that will have meaning for them, and makes it very worthwhile. I would encourage anyone who cares about older people in Australia, and the situations they find themselves in as they age, to participate in co-design research.”
To Judith, co-design is a truly human experience and one that prompted her of just how important her life experiences and skills are, reminding her that she is an expert in her own life and her own experience of ageing.
For more information or to become a GCMA co-designer today, visit: https://www.gcma.net.au/become-a-codesigner
