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

Help researchers test culturally adapted, multilingual online resources

Are you a family carer of a person living with dementia? Are you from a culturally and linguistically diverse community group? We want your help to test our online resources in your language!
In memory of Efthymia (Mitsi) Kouris

The Kouris family invites friends and loved ones of Efthymia 'Mitsi' Kouris to leave a donation to the National Ageing Research Institute in lieu of flowers.
A new chapter for Professor Briony Dow and NARI

NARI would like to express its deepest thanks to Professor Briony Dow, whose leadership has shaped NARI’s role in the sector, leading to life-changing translational research projects and consumer-led innovation. After almost a decade leading the organisation, Professor Dow will step down from her role as Director in May 2024.
Research Officer/Fellow A: Closing date Sunday 17 December 2023

NARI is seeking a Research Officer/Fellow A to work in the Aged Care Division.

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.
Research participants

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