Little evidence supports interventions to improve mobility outcomes in frail older adults hospitalised for movement rehabilitation. This large randomised controlled trial investigates whether increasing the amount of physical activity during inpatient rehabilitation improves mobility and is cost effective. Frail older Australians are very high users of health services. This study will provide evidence for intensive physical therapy that is easily delivered, with significant benefits to older adu ....Little evidence supports interventions to improve mobility outcomes in frail older adults hospitalised for movement rehabilitation. This large randomised controlled trial investigates whether increasing the amount of physical activity during inpatient rehabilitation improves mobility and is cost effective. Frail older Australians are very high users of health services. This study will provide evidence for intensive physical therapy that is easily delivered, with significant benefits to older adults and the aged care health system.Read moreRead less
Investigation Of The Molecular Basis Of Frailty And Development Of Frailty Biomarkers In A Novel Mouse Ageing Model
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,768.00
Summary
Frailty is a state of high vulnerability for adverse health outcomes, and the prevalence of frailty increases with increasing age. There is very little known about why frailty develops, and there is also no widely accepted, efficient method of determining if someone is frail. This project will test blood markers for frailty, that will allow for optimization of treatment for older frail people and use mouse models of frailty to learn more about why frailty develops.
Sirtuins And The Molecular Epidemiology Of Frailty In Older Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$483,246.00
Summary
People in Australia are living longer and longer and yet little is known about the underlying biology of the ageing process. This project will investigate the role of a number of molecular and cellular factors in the aetiology of frailty in a group of more than 1400 older men who are already participating in the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project. A particular focus of the project are sirtiuns, a group of enzymes recently found to be associated with longer life in several animal models.
Understanding Frailty In Older People: An Epidemiological Insight
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
We need to find better and more efficient ways to identify older people at risk of poor outcomes. The measurement of frailty, a key concept in geriatric medicine, may provide this exact information. The proposed research will investigate frailty in large-scale population datasets across both community and hospital settings. Results can be used to guide patient management, influence public health policy and inform future intervention studies.
Brain Ageing - Studying Causes And Developing Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$481,156.00
Summary
This fellowship will assist in better understanding the complex reasons for serious conditions (dementia, stroke, falls, walking impairment) affecting brain health in ageing individuals, and in developing ways to reduce the risk or impact of these conditions in affected people.
Risk Stratification Of Older People In Hospital: Validation And Influence On Clinical Decision Making
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$291,067.00
Summary
Older people in hospital are at high risk of adverse outcomes, a vulnerability commonly referred to as frailty. In community-dwelling older people, frailty status can be measured precisely with a Frailty Index score. This research aims to develop a Frailty Index from a standardised comprehensive geriatric assessment instrument used in the routine care of many patients in hospital. This would assist clinicians to identify vulnerable older inpatients, improving their care in the acute setting.
Reaching The Tenth Decade Of Life In Australia – A 20-year Longitudinal Study Of Older Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$890,063.00
Summary
There are increasing numbers of older people in Australia. A boy born in Australia in 2015 may expect to live to 92 years but how we will ensure that the health of these older men is maintained, and that ageing is a positive experience, is not yet known. We will study a large group of men initially aged over 65 years of age, and who have already been followed for 20 years, to work out how Australian men can reach the tenth decade of life, and how they can achieve this milestone successfully. .
Frailty Trans-Disciplinary Research To Achieve Healthy Ageing
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,301,169.00
Summary
Frailty may lead to a loss of independence which is more common with ageing but not inevitable. This centre of research excellence brings together a national team of clinician and academic researchers and forges strong links to three international centres of excellence in frailty research. Whilst providing new opportunities for the next generation of frailty clinicians and researchers, new research evidence to support the prevention and treatment of this hidden health issue will be developed.
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.