Implementation And Evaluation Of The Data Standards, Inter-operability Solutions, And Quality Of Care Benchmarking Capability Of The Aged Care Data Compare Project
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.