Supporting Informed Choice For Management Of Screen Detected Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) Among Older Women (70 Years And Over)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
DCIS refers to abnormal changes in the breast that may or may not lead to breast cancer later on. Screening women over 70 means more DCIS will be found and treated by surgery, radiotherapy, and other treatments. To avoid unnecessary treatment, some DCIS patients could instead have regular checks (monitoring). This research will develop a tool to help women over 70 with DCIS to make an informed choice between monitoring or immediate treatment, and test whether this improves their quality of life.
Improving Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment And Management In Older Adults (aged 75+) By Supporting Clinician And Patient Decision-making
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$294,892.00
Summary
The prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) could play a significant role in improving the health and quality of life of older adults. However, guidance for treating adults aged 75+ is limited and they may not be receiving the appropriate CVD care. This project will explore the opinions of doctors and older adults regarding the prevention of CVD and develop a tool to support decision-making in this area. The research will positively influence the prevention of CVD among older Australians.
Promoting Independence Through Quality Dementia Care At Home (PITCH)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,541,611.00
Summary
Many people with dementia live at home with support from both paid and unpaid carers. There are currently limited opportunities for carers of people with dementia to receive education and training in how to communicate, manage symptoms and deliver person-centred care. This project will develop and trial a education and training program for front-line home care workers that aims to improve quality of care and quality of life for people with dementia and their carers.
Use Of Emergency Departments By Vulnerable Groups During Their Last Year Of Life
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
Vulnerable people in their last year of life who attend Emergency Departments (EDs) could often be better cared for elsewhere. Our severely overcrowded EDs, and the staff who work in them, are poorly equipped to provide appropriate end-of-life care. This research describes how these groups use the ED, the impact of this use upon ED services and how the provision of adequate community care may be a more appropriate and economically viable option for people at the end-of-life.
At the moment, people with dementia are not offered rehabilitation, even though this may help them communicate, function and live better. I will test and advocate for rehabilitation interventions immediately post-diagnosis and as part of home and residential care. As a leader in dementia research at the University of Sydney I will grow my research team and lead new cross-disciplinary collaborations. I will also continue to influence policy and services.
Sustaining Oral And Systemic Health In Residential Aged Care Facilities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$181,065.00
Summary
Poor oral health is associated with many health problems. Community of Practice members will educate nurse-carer champions who then train direct care staff. The care staff will oversee 2-minutes of teeth cleaning after meals using regular or timed electric toothbrushes, or daily denture care. There will be audits of daily oral care by nurse-carer champions assisted by students, examination of used toothbrushes, regular analyses of gum-based oral bacteria.
Music Therapy Interventions For Dementia: Cluster Randomised Control Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,014,430.00
Summary
Music therapy interventions are increasingly used in aged care facilities across Australia, however Australian-based research that tests its effectiveness is scarce. In this study, we track the impact of group music therapy and group singing on levels of depression, cognitive function, quality of life, and other symptoms of dementia. By providing music therapy programs across sites in Victoria, NSW and Queensland, we will also evaluate the cost effectiveness of the intervention.
Optimising Medication Use To Maintain Or Improve Quality Of Life In Aged Care Facility Residents With And Without Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,627.00
Summary
This research aims to explore and understand how medications impact on the quality of life of aged care facility residents with and without dementia. The outcomes of this research will guide health professionals as they improve how medications are used in this population, with the aim of maintaining or improving quality of life. This research will also explore how these outcomes can be successfully included in regular practice and widely used nationally and internationally.
Predictors Of Home Telehealth Adoption In The Aging Population: Consumer Perspectives
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$325,255.00
Summary
Care of the aging population will place a huge burden on the Australian healthcare system. It is now possible for health services to be provided across the Internet (telehealth) into the aged person’s home. The problem is there has been a slow uptake of telehealth services. What is needed is a clear understanding of aged consumers’ perspectives on telehealth and why they would engage in such services. These findings will assist in planning health care services for the aged into the future.