Development of domain information model for aged & community care in Australia. The aim of this research is to develop a care-oriented reference information and communication model (RIM) that will inform national policy for the development of a national information technology strategic plan for aged care. The model will reflect the domain specific content and work of service providers and consumers in the aged and community care context and the unique cultural, social and professional attributes ....Development of domain information model for aged & community care in Australia. The aim of this research is to develop a care-oriented reference information and communication model (RIM) that will inform national policy for the development of a national information technology strategic plan for aged care. The model will reflect the domain specific content and work of service providers and consumers in the aged and community care context and the unique cultural, social and professional attributes of this sector. The model will be used to evaluate the applicability of the HealthOnline framework, including the relevance of emerging interoperability standards to the aged and community care sector.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
Developing an Integrative Active Ageing Model for Policy Makers and Service Providers to Support Older People with Lifelong Intellectual Disability. 'Active ageing' is increasingly gaining international currency and it underpins Australia's national focus on healthy ageing. However, its meaning for older people with intellectual disability, who represent about 0.13% of Australia's older population, is unclear, as little is known about the impact of ageing upon this group. This exciting resear ....Developing an Integrative Active Ageing Model for Policy Makers and Service Providers to Support Older People with Lifelong Intellectual Disability. 'Active ageing' is increasingly gaining international currency and it underpins Australia's national focus on healthy ageing. However, its meaning for older people with intellectual disability, who represent about 0.13% of Australia's older population, is unclear, as little is known about the impact of ageing upon this group. This exciting research project aims to address these knowledge gaps through a series of case studies comprising key stakeholder groups in rural and urban Victoria and Queensland. An Integrative Model of Active Ageing for policy makers and service providers will be developed to facilitate the planning and appropriate distribution of resources for this population. Read moreRead less
Staff communication in aged care facilities: a key factor in delivering resident-focused care. Australia's ageing population makes quality of aged care a national priority. This study examines the proposed crux of quality care: communication structures and processes between staff. In collaboration with our industry partners, Blue Care, TriCare and Aged Care Queensland, the first phase of the study describes the structures and processes for effective communication in Aged Care Facilities (ACF's). ....Staff communication in aged care facilities: a key factor in delivering resident-focused care. Australia's ageing population makes quality of aged care a national priority. This study examines the proposed crux of quality care: communication structures and processes between staff. In collaboration with our industry partners, Blue Care, TriCare and Aged Care Queensland, the first phase of the study describes the structures and processes for effective communication in Aged Care Facilities (ACF's). A process of analysis will synthesize the results of Phase 1 to propose key communication-related indicators of quality care in ACF's. This model is tested in Phase 2 by examining the association between key communication-related indicators and accreditation outcomes. Read moreRead less
Alone in a crowd: Supporting older Australians managing loneliness. The project provides crucial understandings and knowledge about loneliness as understood by older Australians and support/service providers, and solutions to assist them manage it. The findings will provide immediate practical outcomes that can be implemented by support/service providers, whilst also providing information that can assist policy makers and managers in the service provision area. The findings will enhance the heal ....Alone in a crowd: Supporting older Australians managing loneliness. The project provides crucial understandings and knowledge about loneliness as understood by older Australians and support/service providers, and solutions to assist them manage it. The findings will provide immediate practical outcomes that can be implemented by support/service providers, whilst also providing information that can assist policy makers and managers in the service provision area. The findings will enhance the health and well-being of older Australians with concomitant social and economic benefits. The study contributes to ensuring the optimum use and deployment of finite health and social resources.Read moreRead less
Options, Opportunities and Older people: An exploration of care transitions of older people. Older Australians experience transition points in type and level of support needed to age in their place of choice. Transition points refer to some form of destabilisation in the life of the older person resulting in a changed level of care required along the continuum of care options and opportunities available. This multi-stage, multi-State, qualitative study will determine what constitutes a 'good t ....Options, Opportunities and Older people: An exploration of care transitions of older people. Older Australians experience transition points in type and level of support needed to age in their place of choice. Transition points refer to some form of destabilisation in the life of the older person resulting in a changed level of care required along the continuum of care options and opportunities available. This multi-stage, multi-State, qualitative study will determine what constitutes a 'good transition' for older people, how 'transition points' are identified by consumers and service providers, and what happens after such identification. The study contributes to prevention and early intervention responses enabling older people to age in place wherever possible.Read moreRead less
The neglected dimension of community liveability: Impact on social connectedness and active ageing. Quality of life and well being are essential to maintaining a healthy and socially-engaged population. This project takes an innovative trans-disciplinary approach in addressing the national research priority of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health and the associated goal, Ageing well, ageing productively through research that identifies the attributes of communities that foster or inhibit social ....The neglected dimension of community liveability: Impact on social connectedness and active ageing. Quality of life and well being are essential to maintaining a healthy and socially-engaged population. This project takes an innovative trans-disciplinary approach in addressing the national research priority of Promoting and Maintaining Good Health and the associated goal, Ageing well, ageing productively through research that identifies the attributes of communities that foster or inhibit social engagement. The outcomes of the project will inform policy makers, planners and service deliver organisations about ways to identify, improve or maintain safe housing, transport and community environments for the benefit of all Australians.Read moreRead less
A Model of Integrated Care for Dependant Older People Living in the Community. This research offers significant economic, health and social benefits. Promoting and maintaining good health and ageing well, ageing productively are national priority areas. Case management and telemedicine are both recognised strategies to support chronic disease self-management. Early intervention can offer significant benefits in morbidity and mortality. Enhanced service delivery using an integrated model encompas ....A Model of Integrated Care for Dependant Older People Living in the Community. This research offers significant economic, health and social benefits. Promoting and maintaining good health and ageing well, ageing productively are national priority areas. Case management and telemedicine are both recognised strategies to support chronic disease self-management. Early intervention can offer significant benefits in morbidity and mortality. Enhanced service delivery using an integrated model encompassing general practitioners, practice nurses and community carers, could improve chronic and complex disease management and reduce health costs.Read moreRead less
The transition of care from ageing parents: achieving flexible relationships between adults with cerebral palsy, their siblings and service providers. The Australian community faces a significant challenge in providing life-long care for people with severe disability. We will develop a model that will assist families and service providers to make a smooth, effective transition of care and/or responsibility of adults with cerebral palsy from parents to siblings. Achieving this will increase the ....The transition of care from ageing parents: achieving flexible relationships between adults with cerebral palsy, their siblings and service providers. The Australian community faces a significant challenge in providing life-long care for people with severe disability. We will develop a model that will assist families and service providers to make a smooth, effective transition of care and/or responsibility of adults with cerebral palsy from parents to siblings. Achieving this will increase the quality of life for disabled and nondisabled family members, and ensure a more efficient use of public funding. Our findings will serve as a model for managing the life-long care of people with cerebral palsy and other severe, chronic disabilities, throughout Australia and overseas.Read moreRead less
Maintaining family-based placement for children and young people with disabilities. Aim: To enable families to continue caring at home for children with severe disabilities.
Significance: These families face significant challenges in juggling the demands of work, family and care to the extent that one in four decide to relinquish the care of their child. This leaves more than 37,000 children in Australia at risk of not growing up in their family home.
Expected outcomes: A psychometrically sou ....Maintaining family-based placement for children and young people with disabilities. Aim: To enable families to continue caring at home for children with severe disabilities.
Significance: These families face significant challenges in juggling the demands of work, family and care to the extent that one in four decide to relinquish the care of their child. This leaves more than 37,000 children in Australia at risk of not growing up in their family home.
Expected outcomes: A psychometrically sound instrument that will identify families struggling to care for their children at home, and a family and practitioner guide of innovative solutions to maintaining family-based placements.
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