Implementing Evidence Into Practice To Improve Chronic Lung Disease Management In Indigenous Australians: The Breathe Easy, Walk Easy-Lungs For Life (BE WELL) Project
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$780,089.00
Summary
The burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Indigenous Australians far exceeds that in non-Indigenous Australians. The project will evaluate whether the BE WELL program can build the capacity of Aboriginal health workers to provide affordable and effective management of COPD, including pulmonary rehabilitation. This program will improve health outcomes, reduce hospital admissions and address the poor access to best-practice management of COPD in Indigenous communities.
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.
Cognition-oriented Treatments For Older Adults On The Spectrum From Cognitive Health To Dementia: Improving Methodologies And Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$716,620.00
Summary
Older adults, with and without memory problems, frequently seek ‘brain stimulating’ activities to reduce their dementia risk. Many such activities are available, but the evidence behind them is not clear and more research is needed to improve our understanding of these treatments. The proposed research programme aims to support older adults interested in these types of activities in their efforts to remain cognitively healthy and functionally independent irrespective of age and clinical status
A Telehealth Intervention To Delay Functional Decline In Community-dwelling People With Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,399.00
Summary
Telehealth programs are becoming increasingly popular as a way to increase the accessibility of services and reduce the costs associated with health professionals travelling to the client's home. This project will examine whether an evidence based intervention that delays functional decline can be delivered via videoconferencing and whether this method of delivery is as effective.
Optimising Speech Assessment And Treatment In Frontotemporal Dementia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$722,210.00
Summary
Frontotemporal dementia has a devastating impact on our ability to speak and understand others. This proposal aims to improve our understanding of how to best assess, diagnose and treat these debilitating impairments. By bringing together an international consortium of clinics, these findings will lead to significant advances in our understanding of disease progression and patient care.
Optimising Functional Independence Of Older Persons With Dementia: Implementation And Evaluation Of The Interdisciplinary Home-bAsed Reablement Program (I-HARP)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,864,345.00
Summary
We propose to trial a practical, evidence based model, called the Interdisciplinary Home-bAsed Reablement Program, I-HARP, designed to improve functional independence of community dwelling older people with dementia. I-HARP will be implemented and evaluated, for its effectiveness and implementation outcomes in two different settings of hospital and community aged care. Ultimately, the program will help them live well and stay at home, while delaying entry into higher home or residential care.
Dementia is an urgent global challenge with enormous health and economic cost to Australia. While the hope is for a cure, the number with dementia is growing and diagnosis is often delayed by ~3 years. This project will use innovative neurocognitive methods to achieve earlier diagnosis and develop tailored treatments. This will enhance or maintain function, promoting independence and community living, improving the quality of life and care for persons living with dementia.
Improving Dementia Education Access (the IDEA Study) For Clinical Hospital Staff In Regional And District Hospitals: A Cluster Randomised Study To Improve Knowledge And Patient Outcomes.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$613,303.00
Summary
This research concerns the evidence-based development, national administration, and systematic evaluation of a targeted online dementia education intervention among clinical staff in regional and district hospitals. The research aims to improve knowledge of dementia among clinical staff, enhance patient outcomes, and reduce costs by addressing four outcome levels: clinical learning needs, learning outcomes, engagement and behaviour change, and organisational performance.
Evidence For Suicide Prevention In Planning Transitions From Employment To Retirement In Older Age Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$237,188.00
Summary
This study will investigate the impact of changes in employment status in older aged Australians on subsequent risk of suicidal behaviour, and the extent to which this risk is modified by referral pathways within mental health services and the role of other social supports.
The Impact Of Befriending On Depression, Anxiety, Social Support And Loneliness In Older Adults Living In Residential Aged Care Facilities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$661,872.00
Summary
About half of people living in residential aged care facilities may have significant depression symptoms. Many residents are socially isolated in RACFs even though they are in communal living, and social isolation is a contributor to depression. We propose a trial of befriending which is emotional and social support from trained volunteers. Volunteers will be trained using Beyondblue resources and a manual developed by the investigators.