Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration (MARC)

Established in 2014, Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration (MARC) is a unique consortium of 21 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, Merri Health, 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.

Latest

Danielle McCalmont

Danielle is a Research Assistant in the Social Gerontology Division at NARI, working on the e-DiVA project. She has experience in behavioural neuroscience and quantitative analysis.
2023 Annual Appeal

Help us reach our target of raising $10,000 towards supporting ageing research in our Annual Appeal 2023.
Research Fellow – Aged Care Division and MARC - closing date: Friday 16 June 2023

NARI is seeking a Research Fellow to work within the Aged Care Division and Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration (MARC)
Conversations on Ageing: Laureate Professor Peter Doherty AC

We were honoured to host Professor Peter Doherty, Nobel Prize Laureate, as our inaugural conversationalist on 22 June 2022. Watch the recording as Professor Doherty talks about how older people can contribute to public discourse on ageing and identity.

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.
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.
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.
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.
Mental health tips for aged care workers and managers

NARI has mental health tips and strategies to help aged care workers and managers best handle stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, to optimise wellbeing.
How to stay active at home - Exercises for older people

NARI's exercise videos can help older people stay active at home, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when you may not be as physically active outdoors. The exercises were developed by allied health professionals with expertise in exercise for older people.