About us MARC MARC Established in 2014, MARC (Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration) is a unique consortium of 20 partners, bringing together hospitals, universities, aged care services, primary health, government and advocacy organisations. MARC aims to improve the lives of older people through rapid translation of research into policy and practice. We seek to improve aging-related knowledge, skills and understanding among researchers, the health and aged care workforce, policymakers and the general public to ultimately create long-lasting, systemic change. MARC’s focus is on addressing key issues of importance to older people, their carers, health professionals and the wider community. Our four key themes are preventing falls, providing better dementia care, improving mental health and wellbeing, and enabling better end-of-life care. MARC Capability Statement Our Partners and Supporters By engaging key stakeholders across settings and services in the field of ageing, MARC is able to reach a diverse range of older people, carers, health and aged care staff, communities, universities, policymakers and government entities. MARC is led by the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI), the ‘backbone’ organisation. MARC’s partner organisations include Austin Health, Australian Unity, Benetas, Carers Victoria, COTA Victoria, Deakin University, Dementia Australia, Federation University, Lyndoch Living, Monash University, NARI, North Western Melbourne Primary Care Network, Northern Health, RMIT University, St Vincent’s Health, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, and Western Health. The Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services is actively involved in the collaboration. Meaningful Ageing Australia has joined MARC as an affiliated member in 2020. MARC also has an affiliation with the regionally-based Western Alliance Academic Health Science Centre. MARC includes a Community Advisory Group (CAG), a group of volunteers with a wide range of professional and personal experience of consumer issues related to health and aged care. Our research is funded by the JO & JR Wicking Trust, other philanthropy, donations, financial contributions from the partner organisations, and the Victorian Government. Our Approach Working as a strategic partnership, we are combining resources and expertise to influence policy and practice in Victoria and beyond for the benefit of older people, their families and health and aged care providers and the community generally. It has been widely acknowledged that current systems are not designed to provide optimal support for older people. MARC seeks to actively change this through research and collaboration. All MARC research projects involve multiple partners and representatives, including from our community advisory group, adopting a co-design approach. To share our knowledge, MARC facilitates educational events and hosts regular public forums to highlight and discuss ageing-related matters to bridge the divide between research, policy and practice. MARC provides research opportunities to future students who wish to make a difference in the ageing research sector. MARC also provides funding for PhD Scholarships, clinicians and practitioners to build their skills and capacity in ageing research. Our Achievements Since 2014, the MARC team has hosted over 20 events, conducted over 15 research projects and disseminated information into over 60 settings. Our research and advocacy activities have already led to wide-reaching and sustainable practice change, but there is still more to do. MARC on the Record provides a snapshot of our achievements over the past 6 years. MARC on the Record Join the MARC Matters mailing list for quarterly updates here. Contact us to become a MARC partner or affiliate [email protected]