Introducing the FACE framework: Rethinking age-friendly communities through lived experiences in regional Australia

With the unprecedented growth of the ageing population and increasing urbanisation, age-friendly community (AFC) initiatives have gained significant global momentum. However, existing AFC research has largely prioritised the perspectives of implementers in metropolitan or rural contexts, leaving a critical gap in understanding how community members, particularly those in regional areas, conceptualise age-friendliness and express their needs and priorities. Guided by environmental gerontology, which emphasises the dynamic interaction between individuals and their environments, and geographical gerontology, which focuses on the role of place and spatial context, this qualitative study explores perceptions of AFCs among middle-aged and older adults (≥45 years) living in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 participants, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. From participants' perspectives, we developed the FACE framework, comprising four interconnected dimensions: Facilitators, Ambitions, Conditions, and Engagement. Facilitators represent the drivers of AFC development, including government, non-government organisations, and individuals who raise awareness and provide support. Ambitions capture older adults' aspirations for independence, continuity of lifestyle, and emotional security. Conditions include intrinsic factors (e.g., mobility, health, emotional well-being) and extrinsic factors (e.g., housing, transport, health care, recreational infrastructure) that shape the fulfilment of the ambitions. Engagement reflects older adults' participation in community life, shaped by the availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability of relevant services and resources. The FACE framework offers a structured, community-informed, and theoretically grounded approach to guide the development and evaluation of AFCs, particularly in regional settings, with potential adaptability to diverse communities across Australia and internationally. By centring the lived experiences and perspectives of middle-aged and older residents, this study contributes to a more comprehensive and place-sensitive understanding of AFCs.