MARC’s Annual Symposium: “Critical Themes in Ageing”
was held on Friday 10th August 2018 at Deakin Downtown, a CBD facility of Deakin University. Over 170 people attended the event with representations from all MARC partner organisations.

Debra O’Connor, Director of MARC welcomed everyone to the event and introduced Professor Brendan Crotty, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health, Deakin University who gave the opening address. He spoke of the role Deakin University has in improving the lives of older people and how being a partner of MARC can enhance this aim for all MARC partners.  

This symposium focussed on the critical themes in ageing – mental health, delirium and frailty. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from leaders in these fields: Mental Health – Professor Nicola Lautenschlager and Dr Eleanor Curran (both from the University of Melbourne and the North Western Mental Health), Delirium – Professor Peteris Darzins, Mrs Penelope Casey (both of Eastern Health and Monash University) and Ms Stephanie Lomax (Safer Care Victoria), and Frailty – Dr Kate Gregorevic (Royal Melbourne Hospital and Northern Health).

Speakers highlighted the complexity of each of the themes but also the overlap between them.  It was acknowledged that these complex problems involve multiple risk factors and varied presentations and may involve multiple settings. Care and interventions need to recognise this complexity for better outcomes for older people. The symposium panel discussion highlighted the unique feature of MARC whereby the whole journey for older people is considered and the strength of the partnership may assist in developing solutions for these critical and often hidden themes. The need for translational research approaches to implement evidence and guidelines was stressed. Interactive discussions about integrated systems of health care delivery for older people, building resilience and health assets, engaging people in all the aspects of ageing provided dynamic, innovative ideas and thoughts for future MARC work.  

Presentations:

Session 1: Mental Health

Professor Nicola Lautenschlager

Dr Eleanor Curran

Session 2: Delirium

Professor Peteris Darzins & Mrs Penelope Casey

Ms Stephanie Lomax

Session 3: Frailty

Dr Kate Gregorevic