Little evidence supports interventions to improve mobility outcomes in frail older adults hospitalised for movement rehabilitation. This large randomised controlled trial investigates whether increasing the amount of physical activity during inpatient rehabilitation improves mobility and is cost effective. Frail older Australians are very high users of health services. This study will provide evidence for intensive physical therapy that is easily delivered, with significant benefits to older adu ....Little evidence supports interventions to improve mobility outcomes in frail older adults hospitalised for movement rehabilitation. This large randomised controlled trial investigates whether increasing the amount of physical activity during inpatient rehabilitation improves mobility and is cost effective. Frail older Australians are very high users of health services. This study will provide evidence for intensive physical therapy that is easily delivered, with significant benefits to older adults and the aged care health system.Read moreRead less
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.
Reaching The Tenth Decade Of Life In Australia – A 20-year Longitudinal Study Of Older Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$890,063.00
Summary
There are increasing numbers of older people in Australia. A boy born in Australia in 2015 may expect to live to 92 years but how we will ensure that the health of these older men is maintained, and that ageing is a positive experience, is not yet known. We will study a large group of men initially aged over 65 years of age, and who have already been followed for 20 years, to work out how Australian men can reach the tenth decade of life, and how they can achieve this milestone successfully. .
Molecular Pathways Linking Nutrition And Age-related Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$376,012.00
Summary
Nutrition is the major modifiable factor that influences age-related health. Yet the relationships between nutrition, age-related health and underlying biological mechanisms are complex and poorly understood. We will tame this complexity by applying nutritional geometry and systems biology to nutrient sensing pathways and ageing phenotype across a macronutrient landscape. This will allow us to optimise diets and develop drugs to improve age-related health and extend healthspan.
CareTrack Aged: Appropriate Care Delivered To Australians Living In Residential Aged Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,157,722.00
Summary
Given Australia’s rapidly ageing population, keeping up with future demands and maintaining quality of care in residential aged care facilities (RACF) is vital. This study will assess whether care delivered is consistent with the evidence in 15 conditions that are frequently managed in RACFs. These will include delirium, dementia, depression, pain management and medication management. We will also assess the quality of life of residents in RACFs.
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.
Mapping The Dynamics Of Corneal Stem Cell During Aging And After Wounding And Transplantation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$548,403.00
Summary
Restoring vision in patients with corneal blindness is our focus. Before this can be achieved we need to understand how corneal stem cells function. For many reasons these studies cannot be performed in man, so we engineered a mouse in which the location, migration, division, differentiation, death of these cells can be followed indefinitely. This information will allow us to improve current therapeutic options and develop new clinical solution for patients with blinding corneal disease.
Low Dose Aspirin And Age-related Macular Degeneration: Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,043,189.00
Summary
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of visual impairment in advanced countries, responsible for nearly half of all legal blindness in Australia. Due to increased life expectancy, the number of people with this progressive late onset disease will double by 2025. Aspirin could prevent or delay the onset of AMD in older persons but its bleeding risk also needs to be considered. This project will determine whether treatment with low dose aspirin reduces incidence or progression o ....Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of visual impairment in advanced countries, responsible for nearly half of all legal blindness in Australia. Due to increased life expectancy, the number of people with this progressive late onset disease will double by 2025. Aspirin could prevent or delay the onset of AMD in older persons but its bleeding risk also needs to be considered. This project will determine whether treatment with low dose aspirin reduces incidence or progression of AMD.Read moreRead less
Gotta Be Sit Down And Worked Out Together- A Program For Carers Of Older People In Aboriginal Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,742,188.00
Summary
"Gotta be sit down and worked out together" is a participatory program for carers of older people with physical and mental health problems who live in remote Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley. This project aims to assist community carers to select, develop and implement programs to address their unmet health needs, utilising a community based participatory action research approach. The program emphasises the need to foster empowerment, improve psychological well being and carer burden.
Diagnosing Major Depression In Older Australian Adults: Is There Evidence For Age-related Bias?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$202,839.00
Summary
Epidemiological studies have consistently indicated that the prevalence of depression decreases with increasing age. Researchers have debated whether this finding is a real age-dependent decline or an artefact of sampling and assessment. This study seeks to use statistical methods and cognitive interviewing to investigate the potential for age-related bias in the criteria for major depression. The study will make recommendations to improve the diagnostic methods used diagnose and treat major dep ....Epidemiological studies have consistently indicated that the prevalence of depression decreases with increasing age. Researchers have debated whether this finding is a real age-dependent decline or an artefact of sampling and assessment. This study seeks to use statistical methods and cognitive interviewing to investigate the potential for age-related bias in the criteria for major depression. The study will make recommendations to improve the diagnostic methods used diagnose and treat major depression in the old age.Read moreRead less