Seminars in Ageing: The EXCEL study: A physical activity intervention for individuals with cognitive concerns and mental health symptoms

The EXCEL study: A physical activity intervention for individuals with cognitive concerns and mental health symptoms

Presenter: Associate Professor Kathryn Ellis, University of Melbourne

About the presentation

Physical inactivity significantly increases the risk of dementia (DR). Dementia risk increases further for middle-aged and older adults who experience mental health symptoms such as depression and anxiety, and cognitive health symptoms including worries or difficulties with thinking and memory. We designed the EXCEL study as an intervention that was tailored to support the unique behaviour change needs of these higher risk individuals. In EXCEL Phase 1 we, we developed a model to understand the Physical Activity (PA) behaviour change needs in this population by triangulating data from three sources: semi-structured individual interviews with people from this higher risk cohort; review of published evidence; and the Capability, Opportunity and Motivation system of behaviour change model. We used these findings to inform the design of the intervention, and in EXCEL phase 2 we conducted a pragmatic online intervention to support middle-aged and older adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and mild-moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress to adopt and maintain national PA guidelines. In Phase 3, we conducted a series of focus groups and interviews with participants and clinicians who care for the mental and cognitive health of this cohort for their perspectives on EXCEL to guide future refinement and implementation plans. This presentation will overview the design and initial findings of the EXCEL study, and overview directions for future work.

About the presenter

Associate Professor Kathryn Ellis, PhD, MPsych (Clin), is a Clinical Psychologist and Behavioural Neuroscientist who is passionate about the mental and cognitive health of older adults. She is currently Acting Director for the Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age within the Melbourne Medical School Department of Psychiatry, and also holds an honorary Principle Research Fellow position within the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences. Kathryn has a particular interest and track record in capacity building and fostering collaboration across clinical and research domains.

Further information: [email protected]

Latest

Dr Anna Lane

Dr Anna Lane is a Research Fellow within the Aged Care and MARC Divisions at NARI, working on the IMPART and Befriending with GENIE projects. Her research is focused on ageing and disability, ageing in place, death and dying, and aged care workforce.
Seminar from visiting scholar Andrian Liem: EXploring the experiences of Indonesian migrant domestic workers in caring for older adults in Asia’

Join us on Tuesday 19th September for a free, guest seminar from visiting scholar Dr. Andrian Liem from Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences (Public Health Cluster) and Monash University Malaysia. He will be presenting ‘EXploring the experiences of Indonesian migrant domestic workers in caring for older adults in Asia’
Dr Upasana Baruah

Dr Upasana Baruah is a Research Fellow in Social Gerontology. She is a social work and mental health professional with fifteen years of experience in the field of clinical social work, mental health and psychosocial research, teaching, supervision, sustainable development, and project management.
Women’s Health Week: Time to Put Research into Older Women’s Health on the Agenda

NARI is calling for the health of older women to be highlighted. This year's Women’s Health Week and the NARI Annual Summit 'Menopause and Beyond', provide valuable opportunities to focus on how older women can be empowered to manage their health into older age.

Seminars in Ageing: Is poor sleep a dementia risk factor?

Join us on Tuesday 14th November for our free monthly seminar. We will be hearing from A/Prof Matthew Pase to unpack the question 'Is poor sleep a dementia risk factor?'.
Seminars in Ageing: 12th December

Join us on Tuesday 12th December for our final seminar of 2023. More details to be announced shortly.

Falls risk for older People in the community: FROP-Com

The Falls Risk for Older People in the Community (FROP-Com and FROP-Com Screen) are tools used in the community for assessment or screening of falls risk.
What is the Seniors Exercise Park?

The Seniors Exercise Park is an outdoor exercise equipment includes multiple stations specifically designed for older people to improve strength, balance, joint movements, mobility and function.
Indigenous Cognitive Assessment: Regional and Urban KICA

The regional and urban KICA is an instrument to assess dementia in older Aboriginal people in regional and urban settings.
Age-positive language guide

As part of our commitment to combatting ageism, NARI has developed an age-positive language guide. The guide provides practical examples of how words, phrases, and images can better portray older people and combat ageism.
Victorian falls and balance service directory

The Victorian Falls and Balance Service Directory provides details of the clinics and programs operated by public hospitals and community health services in Victoria for older people who have had a fall or are at risk of falling.
Grief in Older People and its Effect on Healthcare Use

Examines the effects of grief in older people on healthcare use from the perspective of (a) the older bereaved person who is experiencing grief and (b) GPs who are treating grieving older people.
BEFRIENDAS

BEFRIENDAS investigates the impact of befriending on levels of depression, anxiety, social support and loneliness in older people living in residential aged care when provided by trained volunteers.
Research participants

Make a difference in the lives of older people and those who care for them by volunteering to be involved in research.
Elder abuse and dementia

These three short films demonstrate how to respond where the carer abuses the person with dementia; where the person with dementia abuses their carer; and where there is unintended neglect related to advancing dementia. They were co-produced with providers and older people, with funding from the State Trustees Australia Foundation.
A Best Practice Model of Continence Care for Residential Aged Care

This research co-designed and evaluated a best practice model for delivering continence care in Australian residential aged care homes. The model helps residential aged care providers deliver high quality continence care that is consistent with the Aged Care Quality Standard.