Organizational Change And Treatment Of Depression And Dementia In Aged Care Facilities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$567,052.00
Summary
Mental health disorders are common in aged care settings. However, these problems are not well managed. This situation results in distress for residents and family members, as well as high levels of burnout and turnover among staff. This project will address the organizational barriers with the aim of better managing and treating depression and behavioural problems associated with dementia.
Telehealth In Residential Aged Care Facilities: Improving Access To Specialist Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$972,606.00
Summary
People in long term residential care have complex and chronic care issues. The staff may be able to provide more focused care if they have the support of specialists for advice on the care of residents. This project considers the value of a geriatric specialist assessment for all new residents via video conferencing, directly to the residential care facility. This will be supplemented by access to a wide range of other specialists coordinated through a telehealth service model on an "as needs" b ....People in long term residential care have complex and chronic care issues. The staff may be able to provide more focused care if they have the support of specialists for advice on the care of residents. This project considers the value of a geriatric specialist assessment for all new residents via video conferencing, directly to the residential care facility. This will be supplemented by access to a wide range of other specialists coordinated through a telehealth service model on an "as needs" basis.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Controlled Trial To Improve Depression In Family Carers Through A Physical Activity Intervention
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$727,745.00
Summary
This RCT of a physical activity intervention for carers and care recipients aims to determine whether physical activity (designed for carer and care recipient to do together) can reduce depression in older carers. The intervention includes a physiotherapist assessment, Otago and Otago-Plus exercise programs in carer/care recipient’s home over six-months. An economic evaluation will be undertaken. If successful, the intervention could be broadly applied within the carer support service system.
Improving Vision And Quality Of Life: An Innovative And Comprehensive Eye Care Model For Individuals In Residential Care Facilities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$896,953.00
Summary
Elderly people living in residential care facilities have high levels of vision loss which can impact on emotional health, falls, daily functioning, and quality of life. Appropriate correction and cataract surgery can improve vision and, with low vision rehabilitation, can enhance quality of life. This project will assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a new model of eye care targeting vision impairment to improve residents’ daily functioning, enhance their emotional well-being and quali ....Elderly people living in residential care facilities have high levels of vision loss which can impact on emotional health, falls, daily functioning, and quality of life. Appropriate correction and cataract surgery can improve vision and, with low vision rehabilitation, can enhance quality of life. This project will assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a new model of eye care targeting vision impairment to improve residents’ daily functioning, enhance their emotional well-being and quality of life; and reduce falls.Read moreRead less
Re-EValuating The Inhibition Of Stress Erosions (REVISE): Gastrointestinal Bleeding Prophylaxis In ICU
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,955,164.00
Summary
Around 50,000 patients in Australian Intensive Care Units receive a drug called pantoprazole each year with the aim of preventing bleeding from the gut. Recent research suggests this practice is ineffective and may harm patients by increasing their risk of serious infections. We will perform a definitive study to determine whether the widespread use of pantoprazole is beneficial or harmful.
A Telehealth Mediated Nursing Intervention (PRISMS) To Enable Patient Monitoring And Self-care In Haematological Cancer Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$936,632.00
Summary
People with cancer are required to monitor and to initiate self care activities to manage side effects at home. In haematological cancer patients these side effects are often severe and life-threatening. Safe home care requires close communication with the health team. We will test if a mobile phone based system can: support patients to monitor their side effects; promote the delivery of evidence based self care advice in a timely manner; and mediate the role of nurses to effectively provide rea ....People with cancer are required to monitor and to initiate self care activities to manage side effects at home. In haematological cancer patients these side effects are often severe and life-threatening. Safe home care requires close communication with the health team. We will test if a mobile phone based system can: support patients to monitor their side effects; promote the delivery of evidence based self care advice in a timely manner; and mediate the role of nurses to effectively provide real-time patient support.Read moreRead less
Use Of Analgesics To Reduce Agitation And Agression In Older Persons With Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$552,556.00
Summary
Understanding the causes of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) provides a potentially remedial target for interventions. The current study will undertake the first ever trial of analgesics to reduce the frequency of agitation/aggression and other BPSD. By completion we will have new insights into the relationship between pain and various sub-types of BPSD and robust evidence on the best class of analgesics to treat BPSD
A Cluster RCT Of A Novel Psychological Intervention To Reduce Depression Among At-risk Older Adults Transitioning To Residential Aged Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$893,152.00
Summary
Depression is common in aged care facilities, with many older adults finding the transition extremely difficult. We have developed a simple intervention to help new residents, including those with dementia, to adjust to life in aged care. This program focuses on key aspects of psychological wellbeing, and is designed for widespread use in aged care. We will evaluate the intervention to determine if it is superior to current care approaches in reducing depression and improving quality of life.
Australian Predicting Infectious ComplicatioNs In Children With Cancer (PICNICC) Project
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$694,980.00
Summary
Children undergoing cancer treatment are at an increased risk of infection. This is managed by admission to hospital for antibiotics which can be a frightening experience for the child, disruptive for their family and expensive for the healthcare system. While many need admission, a proportion of patients can be safely managed at home with oral or intravenous antibiotics. This project aims to identify these children, so as to improve their quality of life, and decrease cost of treatment.
Assessing The Benefit Of Low Dose Aspirin In The Prevention Of Severe Sepsis.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$391,880.00
Summary
Recent discoveries suggest that low doses of aspirin may save lives in patients with infection by limiting its severity. We will conduct a large-scale primary prevention study using daily low-dose aspirin to explore whether this widely used drug can safely prevent severe infection. This study is made possible by collaborative involvement in an existing Australian and USA funded study called ASPREE. Finding a treatment that helps prevent severe effects and outcomes of infection would be a major h ....Recent discoveries suggest that low doses of aspirin may save lives in patients with infection by limiting its severity. We will conduct a large-scale primary prevention study using daily low-dose aspirin to explore whether this widely used drug can safely prevent severe infection. This study is made possible by collaborative involvement in an existing Australian and USA funded study called ASPREE. Finding a treatment that helps prevent severe effects and outcomes of infection would be a major health advance.Read moreRead less