Establishing Pathways To Implement And Sustain Evidence Based Fall Prevention In Primary Care: The ISOLVE Project
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,156,546.00
Summary
Researchers in allied health and primary care are partnering with Northern Sydney Medicare Local and the NSW State Falls Program (Clinical Excellence Commission) to establish a multi-disciplinary pathway model for fall prevention. The aim is to establish integrated processes and pathways at the levels of practitioner, practice, and program to identify older people at risk of falls and engage a whole of primary care approach to fall prevention. This project will employ multi-methodologies.
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.
Use Of Emergency Departments By Vulnerable Groups During Their Last Year Of Life
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Summary
Vulnerable people in their last year of life who attend Emergency Departments (EDs) could often be better cared for elsewhere. Our severely overcrowded EDs, and the staff who work in them, are poorly equipped to provide appropriate end-of-life care. This research describes how these groups use the ED, the impact of this use upon ED services and how the provision of adequate community care may be a more appropriate and economically viable option for people at the end-of-life.
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.
Sustaining Oral And Systemic Health In Residential Aged Care Facilities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$181,065.00
Summary
Poor oral health is associated with many health problems. Community of Practice members will educate nurse-carer champions who then train direct care staff. The care staff will oversee 2-minutes of teeth cleaning after meals using regular or timed electric toothbrushes, or daily denture care. There will be audits of daily oral care by nurse-carer champions assisted by students, examination of used toothbrushes, regular analyses of gum-based oral bacteria.
Music Therapy Interventions For Dementia: Cluster Randomised Control Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,014,430.00
Summary
Music therapy interventions are increasingly used in aged care facilities across Australia, however Australian-based research that tests its effectiveness is scarce. In this study, we track the impact of group music therapy and group singing on levels of depression, cognitive function, quality of life, and other symptoms of dementia. By providing music therapy programs across sites in Victoria, NSW and Queensland, we will also evaluate the cost effectiveness of the intervention.
Optimising Medication Use To Maintain Or Improve Quality Of Life In Aged Care Facility Residents With And Without Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,627.00
Summary
This research aims to explore and understand how medications impact on the quality of life of aged care facility residents with and without dementia. The outcomes of this research will guide health professionals as they improve how medications are used in this population, with the aim of maintaining or improving quality of life. This research will also explore how these outcomes can be successfully included in regular practice and widely used nationally and internationally.
Predictors Of Home Telehealth Adoption In The Aging Population: Consumer Perspectives
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$325,255.00
Summary
Care of the aging population will place a huge burden on the Australian healthcare system. It is now possible for health services to be provided across the Internet (telehealth) into the aged person’s home. The problem is there has been a slow uptake of telehealth services. What is needed is a clear understanding of aged consumers’ perspectives on telehealth and why they would engage in such services. These findings will assist in planning health care services for the aged into the future.
Improving Outcomes For Community Dwelling People With Dementia And Their Support Persons
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$719,340.00
Summary
This program of work, consisting of two themes, will build evidence for improving outcomes for people living with dementia (PLWD) and their support persons. Theme 1 studies will gather descriptive data on the experience of person-centred care among PLWD and their support persons. Theme two will evaluate the impact of interventions in the primary care and community setting in improving quality of care and quality of life outcomes for PLWD and their support persons.