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
Understanding personal, social and environmental influences on nutrition and physical activity among older adults living in urban and rural areas. There are negative impacts of obesity, poor diet and physical inactivity on physical, psychological and social wellbeing and national economic costs associated with these burdens are substantial. Obesity and its associated illnesses are estimated to cost Australian health services $1.2 billion a year. An understanding of the modifiable determinants of ....Understanding personal, social and environmental influences on nutrition and physical activity among older adults living in urban and rural areas. There are negative impacts of obesity, poor diet and physical inactivity on physical, psychological and social wellbeing and national economic costs associated with these burdens are substantial. Obesity and its associated illnesses are estimated to cost Australian health services $1.2 billion a year. An understanding of the modifiable determinants of nutrition and physical activity behaviours is required in order to develop effective interventions to promote health and well-being. Promoting physical activity and a healthy diet thus has the potential to substantially reduce the burden of disease in Australia and improve quality of life.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
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
Vision impairment and quality of life: The development of a new education and self-management program. Vision impairment affects participation in daily living and quality of life. To encourage health aging and meet the needs of an increasing number of older people requiring vision-related services, a self-management program is proposed. It aims to educate participants about low vision, self-management strategies (problem-solving skills, ways of coping emotionally), and self-care. The program ....Vision impairment and quality of life: The development of a new education and self-management program. Vision impairment affects participation in daily living and quality of life. To encourage health aging and meet the needs of an increasing number of older people requiring vision-related services, a self-management program is proposed. It aims to educate participants about low vision, self-management strategies (problem-solving skills, ways of coping emotionally), and self-care. The program is a bio-psychosocial approach designed to empower individuals to manage low vision effectively, increase self-efficacy, maintain good health and improve life quality. The results will be used to develop an improved model of care for people with impaired vision.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
Successful ageing: Design of residential care facilities for better health delivery. Australia population is ageing. Residential aged care will need to meet expanding demands for services and respond to more discerning residents with higher service expectations. Helping Hand Aged Care Inc, Delfin Lend Lease and Spotless Services Limited are collaborating to improve the capacity of the physical environment to be progressively adapted to changing resident care needs and support the efficient and ....Successful ageing: Design of residential care facilities for better health delivery. Australia population is ageing. Residential aged care will need to meet expanding demands for services and respond to more discerning residents with higher service expectations. Helping Hand Aged Care Inc, Delfin Lend Lease and Spotless Services Limited are collaborating to improve the capacity of the physical environment to be progressively adapted to changing resident care needs and support the efficient and effective provision of quality care by all service providers, including outsourced services. The outcomes of the research will provide economic benefits as worker productivity can be improved and a reduction in post occupancy changes to the built environment.Read moreRead less
The feasibility, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of nurse-led models of chronic disease management in general practice. This study directly relates to the National Research Priority of 'promoting and maintaining good health' through our approach to trial a new and innovative model of chronic disease management specifically for CVD and Type II diabetes in general practice. This project aims to test a new model of health service delivery - that is, the use of a practice nurse to provide chro ....The feasibility, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of nurse-led models of chronic disease management in general practice. This study directly relates to the National Research Priority of 'promoting and maintaining good health' through our approach to trial a new and innovative model of chronic disease management specifically for CVD and Type II diabetes in general practice. This project aims to test a new model of health service delivery - that is, the use of a practice nurse to provide chronic disease care rather than a general practitioner. Our strategy involves collaboration with health providers, stakeholders and consumers to help achieve this by providing patient education and disease management through a registered nurse in general practice.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
Preventing hospital readmissions and loss of functional ability in high risk older adults: A randomised controlled trial. Older people have higher rates of hospital admission and readmission due to complications and falls. During hospitalisation, many older people experience functional decline which impacts on their future independence. Acute hospital services comprise the largest section of health expenditure in Australia, costing $26,413 million/year. Prevention or delay of disease is known to ....Preventing hospital readmissions and loss of functional ability in high risk older adults: A randomised controlled trial. Older people have higher rates of hospital admission and readmission due to complications and falls. During hospitalisation, many older people experience functional decline which impacts on their future independence. Acute hospital services comprise the largest section of health expenditure in Australia, costing $26,413 million/year. Prevention or delay of disease is known to produce more effective use of services. This study will compare the effectiveness of innovative strategies to prevent deconditioning, functional decline and hospital readmissions. Comparative analysis of these strategies will provide information with potential to reduce costs whilst improving functional status, psychosocial well-being and independence in older peopleRead moreRead less