Investigating older Australians' beliefs about and understanding of mental health and their practice of relevant protective behaviours. Healthy ageing and mental health are acknowledged national priorities. This project will generate new knowledge relating to older Australians' mental health literacy and the motivators and barriers influencing their engagement in protective behaviours. The resulting communications strategy will provide tangible outcomes for the industry partners to utilise. The ....Investigating older Australians' beliefs about and understanding of mental health and their practice of relevant protective behaviours. Healthy ageing and mental health are acknowledged national priorities. This project will generate new knowledge relating to older Australians' mental health literacy and the motivators and barriers influencing their engagement in protective behaviours. The resulting communications strategy will provide tangible outcomes for the industry partners to utilise. The project will thus produce knowledge advancement and tools for practitioners, both of which will enhance public welfare and reduce long-term healthcare costs. While this project focuses on older Australians, those of all ages will benefit from a communications campaign that provides individuals with knowledge to protect and strengthen their mental health.Read moreRead less
Is retirement village living good for health: Comparing the health of older adults living in retirement villages and the community. Australia's ageing population will have substantial economic and social ramifications. This study will contribute knowledge to the development and application of environmental and housing policies designed to promote health and public health and clinical interventions intended to combat the major contributors to disease and disability in older populations. Knowled ....Is retirement village living good for health: Comparing the health of older adults living in retirement villages and the community. Australia's ageing population will have substantial economic and social ramifications. This study will contribute knowledge to the development and application of environmental and housing policies designed to promote health and public health and clinical interventions intended to combat the major contributors to disease and disability in older populations. Knowledge of factors that improve health and promote mobility, independence, social interaction and life satisfaction will also assist planning future age-congregated living environments. The research falls within national priority goals including ageing well, ageing productively, preventative healthcare, and strengthening Australia's social and economic fabric.Read moreRead less
The feasibility, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of nurse-led models of chronic disease management in general practice. This study directly relates to the National Research Priority of 'promoting and maintaining good health' through our approach to trial a new and innovative model of chronic disease management specifically for CVD and Type II diabetes in general practice. This project aims to test a new model of health service delivery - that is, the use of a practice nurse to provide chro ....The feasibility, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of nurse-led models of chronic disease management in general practice. This study directly relates to the National Research Priority of 'promoting and maintaining good health' through our approach to trial a new and innovative model of chronic disease management specifically for CVD and Type II diabetes in general practice. This project aims to test a new model of health service delivery - that is, the use of a practice nurse to provide chronic disease care rather than a general practitioner. Our strategy involves collaboration with health providers, stakeholders and consumers to help achieve this by providing patient education and disease management through a registered nurse in general practice.Read moreRead less
From Suspician to Intervention : Improving responsiveness to abuse of the elderly in acute and sub-acute health care. Early identification of risk and an integrated multidisciplinary response across the health service would be effective in responding to the multiple and complex behavioural and social issues which contribute to aged abuse as it presents in emergency, acute and sub-acute care, but are currently often ignored in health services and the literature. We propose that effective use of ....From Suspician to Intervention : Improving responsiveness to abuse of the elderly in acute and sub-acute health care. Early identification of risk and an integrated multidisciplinary response across the health service would be effective in responding to the multiple and complex behavioural and social issues which contribute to aged abuse as it presents in emergency, acute and sub-acute care, but are currently often ignored in health services and the literature. We propose that effective use of this "window of opportunity in health care" could extend the level of community response to this vulnerable group of people. Read moreRead less
The use of social marketing strategies and adult education principles to improve asthma self management in older people. Asthma is estimated to affect up to 10 per cent of people aged 65+ some of whom experience the condition for the first time later in life. Mortality rates from asthma in Australia are highest in the older population and statistics show that older people are most likely to be admitted to hospital following attendance at an Emergency Department for asthma. Older people lack aw ....The use of social marketing strategies and adult education principles to improve asthma self management in older people. Asthma is estimated to affect up to 10 per cent of people aged 65+ some of whom experience the condition for the first time later in life. Mortality rates from asthma in Australia are highest in the older population and statistics show that older people are most likely to be admitted to hospital following attendance at an Emergency Department for asthma. Older people lack awareness about asthma, often manage it poorly, and their health related quality of life is impacted by asthma. There is disparity in asthma information, management and service provision targeted specifically to the needs of the elderly. This project will provide much-needed evidence on the effectiveness of carefully researched and targeted programs for older asthmatics.Read moreRead less
Increasing and Sustaining Physical Activity Levels of Sedentary Older Adults by Improving Social Support and Links with Local Community Resources. This project will promote the health of older people by linking them with local physical activity resources and social support to encourage them to increase and sustain their levels of physical activity. This project uses an innovative approach to tackle one of the key behavioural risk factors for older people, namely physical inactivity, identified b ....Increasing and Sustaining Physical Activity Levels of Sedentary Older Adults by Improving Social Support and Links with Local Community Resources. This project will promote the health of older people by linking them with local physical activity resources and social support to encourage them to increase and sustain their levels of physical activity. This project uses an innovative approach to tackle one of the key behavioural risk factors for older people, namely physical inactivity, identified by the national ageing strategy. The intervention model will provide, for the first time, a sustainable local community vehicle for engaging and sustaining sedentary older people in physical activity. It is anticipated that the community will adopt the model once its efficacy is demonstrated.Read moreRead less
Economic and Social Benefits of treating and preventing influenza in Aged Care Facilities. Influenza is a deadly issue for the elderly, their carers and the community. It reduces quality of life and productivity through hospitalisation and work absenteeism. By preventing influenza using an antiviral drug for residents and staff in aged care facilities there should be considerable economic and social benefits. This controlled scientific experiment will determine how much disease and death can be ....Economic and Social Benefits of treating and preventing influenza in Aged Care Facilities. Influenza is a deadly issue for the elderly, their carers and the community. It reduces quality of life and productivity through hospitalisation and work absenteeism. By preventing influenza using an antiviral drug for residents and staff in aged care facilities there should be considerable economic and social benefits. This controlled scientific experiment will determine how much disease and death can be averted and provide real data that is critical to planning for an influenza pandemic. It will direct where emphasis should be placed between the control measures of infection control (eg hand-washing, masks), vaccination and use of antiviral drugs. Annual outbreaks will be curtailed.Read moreRead less