Reprogramming Macrophage Function In The Elderly To Rescue Impaired Inflammatory Responses To Muscle Injury
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$410,983.00
Summary
Muscle injury in the elderly often takes longer to heal than in younger people, however the cells responsible for this delayed healing are not well understood. Key inflammatory cells required for muscle repair in young hosts are macrophages. However, during aging we have shown that macrophage function is altered, but the mechanism is unknown. This project aims to determine the mechanisms behind age-related changes to macrophages and whether they can be targeted to improve elderly muscle repair.
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Deprescribing To Optimise Medical Therapy For Frail Older People: The Opti-Med Study.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,444,996.00
Summary
Many older people living in residential aged care facilities (RACF) are prescribed medications of uncertain benefit. The primary aim of the Opti-med study is to determine the safety and benefits of reducing the number of medications prescribed to frail older people in RACF. We will withdraw as many medications as possible from participants in the intervention group. Our study will provide randomised controlled data on the safety and efficacy of ceasing medications in frail older people.
BRAIN Training Trial: Balance, Resistance, Or INterval Training Trial: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Three Exercise Modalities In Mild Cognitive Impairment
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,016,192.00
Summary
About 10% of older adults have mild changes in memory or thinking (Mild Cognitive Impairment, or MCI) which don’t interfere with daily life, but increase the risk of dementia. Exercise may improve thinking abilities, but the best kind of exercise is not clear. We will randomise 530 older adults with MCI in Australia, Canada, and Israel to weight lifting, high intensity aerobic training or toning exercises for 12 months to see which prescription is best for brain health and overall function.
High Risk Prescribing In Older Australians: Prevalence, Outcomes And Potential For Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$595,628.00
Summary
Older people are the most likely to be prescribed medicines yet they are the most likely to be harmed by their medicines. The extent of and trends in high risk prescribing among older Australians are not known. This project will use large-scale linked data to determine the prevalence, risk factors, clinical consequences and costs of high risk prescribing among older people in Australia. The findings of this project will be used to identify targets for minimising harm relating to use of medicines ....Older people are the most likely to be prescribed medicines yet they are the most likely to be harmed by their medicines. The extent of and trends in high risk prescribing among older Australians are not known. This project will use large-scale linked data to determine the prevalence, risk factors, clinical consequences and costs of high risk prescribing among older people in Australia. The findings of this project will be used to identify targets for minimising harm relating to use of medicines.Read moreRead less
Successful Ageing In Older Men – Thriving Not Just Surviving In The Health In Men Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$628,810.00
Summary
Despite “Ageing well, ageing productively” being listed as a research priority, we still do not know what factors increase the ability for people to live a healthy old age, particularly as they enter their older years. Studies suggest that factors in late life have quite different effects on both survival and the major causes of illness. This application will use a large group of older men who have already been followed for 15 years to determine what increases the chance of successful ageing.
Innovative Patient Education For Preventing Falls After Hospital Discharge
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$573,186.00
Summary
Older people are at increased risk of falls after hospital discharge, but have low levels of knowledge about falls and may be reluctant to undertake falls prevention activities. Providing suitable education may reduce falls in these older patients. This randomized trial will determine if providing personalized falls prevention education in addition to usual care, reduces falls among older people after they leave hospital. Falls are the leading cause of injury among older people in Australia
Telehealth In Residential Aged Care Facilities: Improving Access To Specialist Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$972,606.00
Summary
People in long term residential care have complex and chronic care issues. The staff may be able to provide more focused care if they have the support of specialists for advice on the care of residents. This project considers the value of a geriatric specialist assessment for all new residents via video conferencing, directly to the residential care facility. This will be supplemented by access to a wide range of other specialists coordinated through a telehealth service model on an "as needs" b ....People in long term residential care have complex and chronic care issues. The staff may be able to provide more focused care if they have the support of specialists for advice on the care of residents. This project considers the value of a geriatric specialist assessment for all new residents via video conferencing, directly to the residential care facility. This will be supplemented by access to a wide range of other specialists coordinated through a telehealth service model on an "as needs" basis.Read moreRead less
Investigation Of The Effectiveness Of Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy For Comorbid Anxiety And Depression In Older Adults
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$514,560.00
Summary
This project examines the effectiveness of group cognitive behaviour therapy for the treatment of co-existing anxiety and depression in older adults. This project is unique because research to date has only focused on treatment of depression or anxiety, despite large overlap of these disorders and evidence that the co-existence of these disorders is associated with worse outcomes such as increased risk for dementia, more severe depression and suicide.
Study Of The Relationship Of Oral Health And Oral Health Service Utilisation To The General Health Of Older Australian Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$471,564.00
Summary
The mouths of older Australians now are very different to those of previous generations. The prevalence of complete tooth loss is declining rapidly and this has enormous implications for dental services. This study will use the established Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project (CHAMP) as a platform to conduct a study of oral health and oral health service use in 800 older men. A major focus of the study will be the inter-relationships between oral health and physical and mental health.
Developing Evidence Based Strategies For Addressing Childhood Vaccination Rejection
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$743,927.00
Summary
Parental rejection of vaccines is a global concern that threatens to undermine disease control. A lack of evidence hampers the responses to this complex and persistent problem. We will interview parents who don’t vaccinate their children to learn what influences their decisions. We will then hold community juries and a public engagement process to refine strategies for responding to vaccination rejection that are acceptable to a well informed citizenry, practical and ethically justified.