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I am an applied physiologist determining risk factors for falls and strategies for prevention in older people and clinical groups with balance disorders. I pursue this research primarily through epidemiological studies.
Physical Activity Interventions To Enhance Mobility And Prevent Falls.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,813.00
Summary
My research has established that exercise programs can prevent falls and enhance mobility in older people and those affected by a range of conditions. There remain important unanswered questions about the design and delivery of optimally effective and cost-effective physical activity programs. My proposed research program will address these with studies targeting the design and evaluation of novel interventions, implementation of proven interventions and population health approaches.
Obesity In The Elderly: Effect Of Exercise And Weight Loss Therapies On Physiology And Function
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$69,729.00
Summary
The population is ageing and the prevalence of obesity is increasing. The “Baby Boomer” generation has the highest prevalence of obesity of all age groups, hence increasing numbers of older adults (age over 65) are obese, and this is unprecedented. We know that obesity predisposes to loss of physical function and independence in older adults, and may increase the risk of dementia. Our trial will compare multiple treatments for obesity in older persons, including newer treatments.
Preventing Falls In Older People With Dementia - A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,349,410.00
Summary
There is no evidence to date that has shown it is possible to prevent falls in older people with dementia. This proposal builds on a number of years of research by this group to try and address the question of how to prevent falls in people with dementia. We will undertake a study looking at the impact of a professionally prescribed, carer assisted, individualised exercise and home hazard reduction program on falls in people with dementia.
Promoting Activity For Frail Aged In Post-acute Hospital Settings: A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Accelerometry
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$542,119.00
Summary
Keeping older people in hospital actively mobile is a vital objective of high quality aged care. Using accelerometers, the Centre for Research in Geriatric Medicine at the University of Queensland, and its partner, the CSIRO e-health Research Centre, are trialing a method of promoting activity in older rehabilitation patients. Potentially, a system of _activity management� could solve an age old problem in hospital care of older people.
IStoppFalls: ICT Based System To Predict & Prevent Falls
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$579,018.00
Summary
Technology-based solutions have potential to increase effectiveness of individualized quality healthcare while reducing costs and using scarce human resources to maximum effect. Fall prediction and prevention is a research field where technology can be used to facilitate healthy ageing, well-being and independent living. The primary aim of the iStoppFalls project is to develop and evaluate innovative home-based technologies for continuous monitoring and prevention of falls risk in older adults.
Lifestyle (LIFE) Versus Structured Balance And Strength Training To Reduce Falls In The Elderly: A Randomized Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$650,968.00
Summary
Thirty to thirty five percent of persons who are 70 or older fall each year. The magnitude of problems as a result of falling is reflected by the fact that the costs of fall injuries of the elderly to the health system is already more than double that of road injury. It is estimated that these costs will rise substantially and alarmingly in the next 30 to 50 years if we cannot find effective and sustainable ways to make an impact on the incidence of falls in older people. The aim of this project ....Thirty to thirty five percent of persons who are 70 or older fall each year. The magnitude of problems as a result of falling is reflected by the fact that the costs of fall injuries of the elderly to the health system is already more than double that of road injury. It is estimated that these costs will rise substantially and alarmingly in the next 30 to 50 years if we cannot find effective and sustainable ways to make an impact on the incidence of falls in older people. The aim of this project is to improve the capacity of people living at home to avoid falls. The project will evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated lifestyle approach to balance and strength exercise (LIFE) and a structured balance and strength exercise program to reducing falls in people who are at high risk . The control group will comprise a gentle flexibility exercise program as this is known to have no effect on reducing falls. In the lifestyle approach (LIFE), older people will be taught how to do balance and strength training and integrate it into their lifestyle so that it is embedded within their daily activity and weekly routines. It is expected that this integrated lifestyle approach to balance and strength training will be effective in reducing falls and will be sustainable over a a one-year period. This study will also determine for which groups of people LIFE is most effective . The research is a three-arm randomized trial that will be conducted with 381 people who are 70 years or over, who have experienced at least two falls in the past year or had an injurious fall. The notion of balance training is not well understood by allied health professionals or older people - a product of this project will be an alternative balance and strength intervention (LIFE) that offers, in a user friendly and simplified manner, a way of operationalizing the principles of balance and strength training for use by older people within their daily lives.Read moreRead less