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.
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. Read more
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 involves consulting 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 is working with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services to investigate what quality care means from the perspectives of people who either receive or provide residential aged care services and to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected residential aged care in Victoria. 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 aims 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
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
The Healthy Ageing Quiz aims to help Australians aged 50 years or older to determine whether their current lifestyle choices are helping them age well and inspire them to take action to improve their health and wellbeing. 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 project is a nurse-led interdisciplinary research collaboration that will co-design, implement and evaluate a care bundle to support people with a long-term indwelling catheter (IDC) in residential aged care homes, addressing a gap in current services across Australia. 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
Hospitals are known to be challenging places for people with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). NARI is working with Victorian hospitals and Victorian Department of Health (DH) to develop best practice principles for the care of this vulnerable patient population. 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
This project is developing and evaluating a method to measure the quality of care in residential aged care homes for people who require assistance with toileting, incontinence or bladder or bowel care. 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 is undertaking a consultation project for the Commonwealth Department of Health which aims to identify 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
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
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
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 MINDSET Study aims to improve the quality of interpreter communication in a cognitive assessment for dementia by co-designing, trialling, and implementing online training targeted at interpreters. 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
We are designing and evaluating the Dignity in Continence Care Education Program. It aims to strengthen the quality of communication and continence care for care-dependent older people with dementia and continence care needs living in aged care homes. 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