Partnership Centre: Dealing With Cognitive And Related Functional Decline In Older People
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$12,500,000.00
Summary
The focus of this Partnership Centre is how to better apply our existing knowledge and how to create new knowledge that will directly improve support to those elderly suffering from cognitive decline, their carer’s (formal and informal) and the various agencies delivering services for them. This Partnership Centre’s Investigator Team will engage in a range of activities to improve aged care service planning (including continuity of care and risk assessments of community care); develop and implem ....The focus of this Partnership Centre is how to better apply our existing knowledge and how to create new knowledge that will directly improve support to those elderly suffering from cognitive decline, their carer’s (formal and informal) and the various agencies delivering services for them. This Partnership Centre’s Investigator Team will engage in a range of activities to improve aged care service planning (including continuity of care and risk assessments of community care); develop and implement new approaches to support informal carer’s; reduce stigma around cognitive decline in both the health care and community context; improve the size and quality of the aged care workforce; assist with decision making, rights, citizenship and related ethics through education; improve aged care regulation; promote responsible medication management; develop and disseminate up-to-date clinical guidelines; and implement proven models of care.Read moreRead less
Palliative Care In Aged Care Facilities For Residents With A Non-cancer Diagnosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$70,000.00
Summary
Preliminary studies have suggested there may be deficiencies in the care of residents in aged care facilities who have advanced terminal illnesses other than cancer. Aged care residents do not have access to the expertise and resources available to clients of palliative care services where cancer is the major diagnosis. This study aims to investigate the extent and nature of any deficits experienced in aged care facilities and to employ palliative care standards to develop strategies so that any ....Preliminary studies have suggested there may be deficiencies in the care of residents in aged care facilities who have advanced terminal illnesses other than cancer. Aged care residents do not have access to the expertise and resources available to clients of palliative care services where cancer is the major diagnosis. This study aims to investigate the extent and nature of any deficits experienced in aged care facilities and to employ palliative care standards to develop strategies so that any unmet needs can be addressed.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Personalised Goal-directed Activity To Treat Agitation In Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$310,077.00
Summary
We will test by means of a randomised controlled trial the effectiveness of personalised, goal-directed activities in reducing agitated behaviour in aged care residents with dementia. Evidence suggests that treatments work best when adapted to people's interest, skills and backgrounds. Our activities require no special equipment and there is no need to exclude people with limited language skills. The study will be controlled to ensure that benefits are not due just to social interaction.
Greek & Italian Residents With Dementia In Aged Care: Language Use, Psychiatric Medication,quaity Of Life & Satisfaction
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$194,543.00
Summary
Australia has a growing older migrant population and rates of dementia in residential care are high. Communication difficulties for older persons with limited English language proficiency and dementia provide a particular challenge in terms of meeting care needs effectively in residential settings. The current project will compare older Greek and Italian background persons with dementia who are residing in either mainstream or ethno-specific residential care facilities in Melbourne. The study wi ....Australia has a growing older migrant population and rates of dementia in residential care are high. Communication difficulties for older persons with limited English language proficiency and dementia provide a particular challenge in terms of meeting care needs effectively in residential settings. The current project will compare older Greek and Italian background persons with dementia who are residing in either mainstream or ethno-specific residential care facilities in Melbourne. The study will extend our pilot research, which focused on language use, and will also measure a number of factors that may influence the rate of communication, including prescribed psychiatric medication, language proficiency, cognitive impairment and behavioural-psychiatric symptoms. Additionally, the project will compare factors that may differ between the facility types, to provide further understanding of services offered. Furthermore, measures of satisfaction with the facility and quality of life will be included to provide an indication of the clinical significance of residing in a mainstream or ethno-specific aged care facility. The expected outcome of the study is to provide additional data in a very under researched and increasingly important field, to inform policy and practice, with the aim of improving the quality of life for older persons from diverse backgrounds in residential care.Read moreRead less
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.
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.
Meeting The Needs Of The Elderly: Implementing The Palliatve Approach For People With Declining Health In Homeandhostel
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$83,456.00
Summary
This study aims to understand the extent to which a palliative approach is being used in the organisation and provision of care to elderly people with complex needs in home and hostel settings. It will identify current practices of aged care staff in the management of elderly people whose care needs are becoming increasingly more complex and not amendable to cure. In addition this study will explore the experiences of elderly people receiving this care. A model of the provision of a palliative a ....This study aims to understand the extent to which a palliative approach is being used in the organisation and provision of care to elderly people with complex needs in home and hostel settings. It will identify current practices of aged care staff in the management of elderly people whose care needs are becoming increasingly more complex and not amendable to cure. In addition this study will explore the experiences of elderly people receiving this care. A model of the provision of a palliative approach in this group of elderly Australians will be developed.Read moreRead less
Improving Quality Of Life Of People With Dementia Living In Residential Care Facilities A Randomised Trail Of Educat Int
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$777,409.00
Summary
The DIRECT study aims to determine if education of General Practitioners (GPs) and Residential Care Staff can improve the quality of life (QOL) of people with dementia living in Residential Care Facilities (RCF). Our hypothesis is that a systematic educational intervention delivered to GPs and RCF staff will improve care delivery, leading to measurable improvements in the quality of life of residential care recipients. We hypothesise that education delivered to GPs will have additive effects to ....The DIRECT study aims to determine if education of General Practitioners (GPs) and Residential Care Staff can improve the quality of life (QOL) of people with dementia living in Residential Care Facilities (RCF). Our hypothesis is that a systematic educational intervention delivered to GPs and RCF staff will improve care delivery, leading to measurable improvements in the quality of life of residential care recipients. We hypothesise that education delivered to GPs will have additive effects to education delivered to RCF staff. Dementia is the leading cause of non-fatal disease burden among older Australians. Of people with dementia, nearly half live in RCF. There appears to be much scope to improve care, and thus QOL, for people with dementia living in residential facilities. However, the most effective way to translate knowledge regarding the components of high quality care into practice is uncertain and there is a paucity of Australian data to guide practice. Education of RCF staff is likely to be the cornerstone of improved care for recipients of residential care who have dementia. GPs also play a key-role in the care of older people living in RCF, including collaboration in the development of management plans, prescription of medications and initiation of health referrals. A detailed action research process with data collected from surveys, focus groups and pilots will be used to develop educational programmes for delivery to GPs and RCF staff. The primary outcome of the study will be quality of life of the people with dementia, assessed by themselves, their family carers and the staff looking after them. Several tools incorporating different sources of information will be used to assess QOL in a comprehensive fashion. Secondary outcomes will include knowledge among GPs and RCF staff regarding dementia, markers of quality care, participants’ sleep quality, and carer satisfaction. It is anticipated that the results will fill this current gap in evidence and will be of value to policy makers and stakeholders from the Residential Care Industry and Peak Community and General Practice bodies. The study results will have tangible implications for proprietors, managers and staff from the residential care sector and policy makers. The results have potential to directly benefit the quality of life of both patients and carers.Read moreRead less
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.
The Effect Of Music On Agitated Behaviours In Older People With Dementia: A Randomised Control Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$153,634.00
Summary
This study uses a cost effective non-pharmacological intervention, that being music therapy to improve quality of life (QOL) in people with dementia. Dementia results in a decline in mood and cognitive functioning and the emergence of behaviour problems that include aggressive acts, agitation, and sleep-wake and rest-activity pattern disturbance. Aggressive behaviour is a common burden for caregivers in residential and family care. The subsequent stress that aggression places on caregivers can l ....This study uses a cost effective non-pharmacological intervention, that being music therapy to improve quality of life (QOL) in people with dementia. Dementia results in a decline in mood and cognitive functioning and the emergence of behaviour problems that include aggressive acts, agitation, and sleep-wake and rest-activity pattern disturbance. Aggressive behaviour is a common burden for caregivers in residential and family care. The subsequent stress that aggression places on caregivers can lead to staff and family burn out, an increase in restraint use, and decreased quality of care. Research suggests that disruptive behaviours are recognised as a predictor in staff resignation and carer stress, both of which add significantly to the current costs of aged care. This project therefore has the potential to benefit both people living with dementia and their carers. The positive outcomes of music on people of all ages and health status have been established in various clinical settings. Recent research suggests that music therapy may be useful in the management of disruptive behaviours in people with dementia. Music therapy for people with dementia has the potential to improve their quality of life (QOL) through an improvement in depression, and a reduction in aggression and agitation. This study will investigate the effect of a live music program (where participants use their voices and instruments to perform and create music) on agitated behaviours in older people with dementia. It will provide evidence contributing to better understandings about music therapy and its contribution to QOL and disruptive behaviours in people with dementia that can be transferred to other settings such as the community and home based care of people with dementia.Read moreRead less