Sino-Australian neurogenetics initiative. This project will undertake large population studies to identify genes that are associated with motor neuron disease, schizophrenia and intracranial haemorrhage. The project will determine genetic markers, aid development of diagnostic tools and identify new therapeutic targets for these common heritable neurological diseases.
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
Architecture and healthy ageing: an investigation into the relationship between aged care facility design, management and the well being of residents. Residential care for the future will need to meet expanding demands for aged care in a manner which responds to more discerning older people including those from non-English speaking backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with expected increases in the number of services required. To do so design processes must incorporate the need ....Architecture and healthy ageing: an investigation into the relationship between aged care facility design, management and the well being of residents. Residential care for the future will need to meet expanding demands for aged care in a manner which responds to more discerning older people including those from non-English speaking backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with expected increases in the number of services required. To do so design processes must incorporate the needs of those involved in residential care yet meet the requirements of statutory authorities standards for health care provision. This research will provide a comprehensive picture of the issues that impact on the design process and the effect on residential care facilities ability to provide residents and workers with the highest possible quality of life. It will inform accreditation and certification standards.Read moreRead less
Brides and Grandmothers: Challenges for Older Filipinos in Australia. This project investigates the settlement, acculturation experiences, and psychological wellbeing of older Filipino women who arrived in Australia under different circumstances. Some have migrated to Australia as young brides to marry Australian citizens and some as grandmothers to be reunited with family members. Five hundred older Filipino women, and a group of 100 men living in rural and urban areas, will participate in the ....Brides and Grandmothers: Challenges for Older Filipinos in Australia. This project investigates the settlement, acculturation experiences, and psychological wellbeing of older Filipino women who arrived in Australia under different circumstances. Some have migrated to Australia as young brides to marry Australian citizens and some as grandmothers to be reunited with family members. Five hundred older Filipino women, and a group of 100 men living in rural and urban areas, will participate in the project. The findings will enhance the understanding of the social and psychological needs of this special group of migrants and will assist in the planning of immigration policies and culturally appropriate health services for older migrants.Read moreRead less
Assessing risk in aged mental health care. This study will explore practices and developments in relation to the assessment of risk in aged persons mental health from the perspective of multiple stakeholders. The aims are to gain a thorough understanding of existing practices with a view to developing and evaluating a comprehensive risk assessment model. The outcomes will enhance the provision of mental health services within aged mental health services.
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
Personal experiences of depression and recovery; an Internet resource for the public and policy makers. The economic, health, a social and personal cost to the Australian community of depression constitutes a public health concern of undoubted significance. Debates in both policy and public arenas are hampered by a lack of comprehensive reliable evidence about factors underlying depression and more importantly recovery from depression. The data gathered from this project will establish an evide ....Personal experiences of depression and recovery; an Internet resource for the public and policy makers. The economic, health, a social and personal cost to the Australian community of depression constitutes a public health concern of undoubted significance. Debates in both policy and public arenas are hampered by a lack of comprehensive reliable evidence about factors underlying depression and more importantly recovery from depression. The data gathered from this project will establish an evidence base and a platform for incorporating lay perspectives on depression and recovery into the currently existing discourses on depression into web based resources providing information to people searching information about depression, its treatments and recovery pathways.Read moreRead less
Cognitive and behavioural benefits of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation across the lifespan. The Australian Bureau of Statistics recently estimated that 7-19% of children have learning and behaviour problems associated with child ADHD. Concurrently, rates of dementia are rapidly increasing worldwide, currently costing the Australian government $6.6 billion pa, and it has been predicted that rates of dementia could double every 20 years. If omega-3 PUFA research can show benefits in cognition an ....Cognitive and behavioural benefits of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation across the lifespan. The Australian Bureau of Statistics recently estimated that 7-19% of children have learning and behaviour problems associated with child ADHD. Concurrently, rates of dementia are rapidly increasing worldwide, currently costing the Australian government $6.6 billion pa, and it has been predicted that rates of dementia could double every 20 years. If omega-3 PUFA research can show benefits in cognition and behaviour across the lifespan, this has potential benefit for fish oil products and their ability to enhance mental health and cognitive outcomes, thereby helping to lower the substantial social and health care costs associated with poor academic performance, mental illness and growing rates of dementia.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
Community Engagement for Productive Ageing: Models to support rural healthy ageing through the maintenance of community involvement and contribution. Governments at all levels are concerned about the looming social and economic challenges flowing from an ageing population. At present, ageing services are largely focussed on caring for the frail dependent aged. Yet, ultimately, the key to meeting the ageing challenge will lie in how successful we are in supporting our healthy independent aged to ....Community Engagement for Productive Ageing: Models to support rural healthy ageing through the maintenance of community involvement and contribution. Governments at all levels are concerned about the looming social and economic challenges flowing from an ageing population. At present, ageing services are largely focussed on caring for the frail dependent aged. Yet, ultimately, the key to meeting the ageing challenge will lie in how successful we are in supporting our healthy independent aged to stay contributing and productive members of their community. By developing evidence-based interventions that focus on preventing social disengagement before it occurs, the project provides a cost effective approach to ensuring that Australia's rapidly growing aged cohort remain social assets and do not become social burdens.Read moreRead less