As the national leader in ageing research, we produce evidence, tools and resources to improve health and aged care systems, influence government policies and inspire best practice in the health and aged care sector.
Our work spans a broad variety of topics and population groups within ageing research. A selection of research and project information and outcomes is available here.
You can search our work by the topic of the research and/or by the type of information by selecting your area of interest from the lists below.
Indwelling urinary catheter care for aged care residents poses a significant clinical governance risk. This risk could be mitigated with a better understanding of the key challenges. This project consulted with key stakeholders about indwelling urinary catheter care and associated complications in Victorian residential aged care homes. Read more
This culturally appropriate resource kit for older CALD volunteers was developed by NARI, the Australian Multicultural Community Services, and the Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing to support them in their voluntary roles and activities. Read more
Up to 40% of dementia can be prevented by addressing health and lifestyle factors. Unfortunately, this message is not reaching Australia’s CALD communities. NARI is working to address this gap with an animated video about dementia prevention in 9 languages. Read more
This project evaluates the efficacy of a culturally adapted community-based intervention for family caregivers. Funded by the US National Institute of Health, it strengthens Vietnam’s dementia research capacity to develop the next generation of dementia researchers in Vietnam. Read more
This video shows older people and younger people being interviewed about what age means to them and how they view the other generation. There are some surprises - young people experience age discrimination and each generation has a largely positive view of the other. Read more
This study is exploring the ways in which three Aboriginal community controlled art centres are supporting older people and those living with dementia in remote communities. Read more
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. Read more
Australia’s first Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Dementia Research Action Plan was developed by NARI in partnership with the NHMRC National Institute of Dementia Research (NNIDR). Read more
Researchers at the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) have designed and evaluated a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to support carers of people living with dementia and continence care needs. Read more
NARI worked with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services to investigate what quality care means from the perspectives of individuals who either receive or provide residential aged care services – and to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
In 2022, NARI researchers reviewed evidence for the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care to inform a clinical care standard about continence care for older Australians accessing aged care services in the community and in residential aged care homes. Read more
NARI is leading a project funded by the Lord Mayors Charitable Foundation to undertake research in understanding the use and perceptions of cooling centres (air-conditioned facilities e.g. libraries, community centres, cinemas) for older Victorians, and explore how older Victorians perceive health-related effects of heatwaves. Read more
We culturally adapted the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) for older Chinese migrants. Funded by Beyond Blue, these adaptations are freely available along with a tip sheet and guide to using the screening tools. Read more
This study worked to improve the lives of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) family carers and people living with dementia using animations, digital fact sheets, and a multilingual chat-bot, collectively titled “The Draw-Care Intervention”. Read more
Our e-DiVA study aims to empower Dementia Carers with an iSupport Virtual Assistant tool and evaluate the tool through a randomised controlled trial. Read more
When compared to face-to-face interpreting for home-based dementia assessments, we found that e-interpreting is an effective alternative. Read more
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. Read more
In collaboration with the elder abuse sector, NARI developed the first action plan specifically to assist the Victorian community to tackle elder abuse. Read more
With funding from the State Trustees Australia Foundation, in collaboration with Senior’s Rights Victoria (SRV), NARI analysed seven years of data to better understand elder abuse in Victoria. Read more
NARI worked with Seniors Rights Victoria to better understand the older person’s experience of elder abuse, the interventions used to address elder abuse and the outcome of these interventions for older people. Read more
ENJOY is a suite of projects creating age-friendly outdoor spaces for older people to engage in physical and social activities for healthier and liveable cities and communities in Victoria. They include Seniors Exercise Parks, the My ENJOY Health® exercise app, and ENJOY IMP-ACT, an implementation research project. Read more
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. Read more
NARI worked with carers to develop a video promoting a balanced view of caring for someone with dementia. The video presents carers’ stories and experiences, including challenging, positive, and rewarding aspects of caring. It is suitable for both carers and the public. Read more
The Global dEmeNtIa rEsources (GENIE) project is developing an online resource repository. It will include national and international evidence-based dementia resources to support Culturally and Linguistically Diverse family carers of people living with dementia. Read more
On behalf of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, NARI conducted a nation-wide telephone survey of people receiving Home Care Packages or respite services and how they feel about their lives and the care they receive. Read more
This NHMRC funded project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an individualised physical activity program aimed at improving mental health and minimising functional decline amongst care recipients and carers. Read more
NARI developed six tip sheets for age care assessors who work with older CALD people living with dementia and depression. Read more
There is a critical need to improve methods to identify the continence care needs of community-dwelling older people with complex health conditions. This project examined the feasibility and acceptability of using new sensor wear technology in older people with continence care needs living in the community. Read more
The Victorian Department of Health (DH) commissioned NARI to undertake a comprehensive review of the extent, impact and management of patients with dementia in hospitals. Of particular interest were behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), a range of neuropsychiatric disturbances which are often initiated and/or exacerbated by hospital environments. Read more
The regional and urban KICA is an instrument to assess dementia in older Aboriginal people in regional and urban settings. Read more
A review of integrated models of care, health and housing conducted for the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Read more
MINDSET provided specialist online dementia training for interpreters to improve cognitive assessment for dementia of people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. Read more
In Australia, limited awareness of dementia in people from CALD backgrounds often results in delayed diagnosis, poorer prognosis, and higher burden of care on families and health systems. Collaborating with Curtin University, NARI has received federal funding to raise dementia awareness in CALD communities. Read more
NARI completed a consultation project for the Commonwealth Department of Health that identified priority research areas for aged care reform. Read more
The No More Shame study aims to address the stigma of elder abuse by improving its recognition, response, and referral by health providers. This intervention will comprise a co-designed training program for health providers who work with older people in hospitals. Read more
Guides and posters for clinicians working with older Aboriginal people in the remote communities of the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Includes information on the rates of health conditions in the population. Read more
This Discussion Paper, authored by NARI Ambassadors Dr Don Edgar and Dr Patricia Edgar, analyses generational conflicts and how to create a more positive intergenerational future. Read more
The PMG toolkit, 2nd edition is a free resource to help implement the book Pain in Residential Aged Care Facilities: Management Strategies, 2nd Edition. Read more
PAW was a volunteer led behavioural activation program designed to improve the wellbeing of aged care residents. After the 8 week program, residents’ depression was reduced and there were improvements in volunteer well-being and staff satisfaction. Read more
NARI is working with older people, carers, other family members, service providers and key stakeholders to co-design and pilot an intergenerational intervention for the primary prevention of elder abuse. Read more
PITCH is a NHMRC funded, co-designed, evidence-based dementia specialist training program for home care workers who support people living with dementia and their families at home. It was tested in a rigorous randomised controlled trial in seven service providers across three Australian states. Read more
This program will strengthen professional collaboration in dementia caregiver education by implementing and evaluating the World Health Organization’s iSupport for Dementia online education program for informal carers. Read more
Housing for the Aged Action Group, Deakin University and NARI are working together to improve the detection and referral pathways from aged care assessors to specialist housing services for older people at risk of homelessness. Read more
On behalf of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, NARI conducted a nation-wide survey of people living in residential aged care facilities and how they feel about their lives and the care they receive. Read more
Shared Acute Models of Care for Older People in Hospital (ShAMCOP) project is a scoping review of new and emerging shared care models and co-management programs. Read more
This project creates opportunities for national dialogue to make dementia a public health priority in Vietnam. Funded by a NHMRC-NAFOSTED grant, it builds an evidence platform for the development of Vietnam’s National Dementia Plan. Read more
The Talking Mental Health project aims to enhance the identification and support of mental health and well being needs among older adults receiving home care. It is a collaboration between NARI, Flinders University and Uniting AgeWell, and supported by funding from Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA). Read more
NARI collaborated with Royal Freemasons Ltd in the implementation and evaluation of an enhanced model of care for residential aged care. Read more
We co-designed the Australian Elder Abuse Screening Instrument (AuSI) with health, aged care, and legal services. Pilot testing showed mixed results. The tool is still in development. Read more
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 expectations of individuals with incontinence in residential aged care and their families. Read more
The HEAT is an online audit tool that encourages health services to consider how the hospital environment affects an older person’s independence and well-being. It was developed by NARI for Victorian Department of Health (DH) with input from clinicians, engineers, architects and peak body representatives. Read more
The IDC-IMPROVE Project seeks to support Australia’s aged care workforce to care for people with urinary catheters in aged care homes. It involves evaluating evidence-based person-centred catheter resources about catheter care, titled the 'IDC-IMPROVE Catheter Care Bundle'. Read more
This paper argues for significant policy reform in four areas of public policy in order to respond to the growing demographic of middle aged Australians: workplace, education, preventative health and building communities. Read more
In this short video, we show health professionals how to work with interpreters to complete a cognitive assessment for an older person with suspected dementia. Read more
The Victorian Ageing Linked Database (VALiD) harnesses the power of data linkage to help understand older Victorians’ health, aged and health care service utilisation, medication use and mortality. It provides evidence to guide policy and decision making that affects the wellbeing of older Victorians. Read more
NARI examined the health and well-being needs, expectations and priorities of older Victorians at six key stages in later life in a report for Victorian Department of Health (DH). Read more
In May 2018, NARI met with aged care leaders to consider the burning issues in aged care. They agreed on the need for a better understanding of what good ageing means. Read more