Tuesday 1 October 2024

MEDIA RELEASE

The National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) has celebrated International Day of Older Persons by officially launching the new Healthy Ageing Quiz, an online self-assessment tool to assist people aged 50 and over to determine whether their current lifestyle is supporting them to age well.

The digitalised Healthy Ageing Quiz is based on the latest scientific evidence about healthy ageing with input from experts in the field including community members and older people themselves. It was developed by NARI with support from the Victorian Government and can be accessed via the following link:
https://www.nari.net.au/healthy-ageing-quiz

Today’s launch of the tool was opened by The Hon Ingrid Stitt MP, Victorian Minister for Mental Health, Ageing and Multicultural Affairs who, on International Day of Older Persons, reinforced the need to ensure that older people are appreciated, respected and empowered to live well later in life.

“We all benefit from the contributions that our seniors make. Ensuring that older people remain healthy, both physically and mentally, is vital to ensuring that older Victorians continue to live engaged and full lives as they age.”

She praised NARI for their work in developing the Healthy Ageing Quiz; a practical and accessible tool that will complement the Victorian government’s strategies for strengthening the health and wellbeing of older Victorians outlined in their 2022 - 2026 Ageing Well Action Plan.

“Congratulations to all involved in the development of this important initiative. I hope that it starts conversations right across the state on what it means to age well.”

Associate Professor Frances Batchelor, Director of Clinical Gerontology and Senior Principal Researcher at NARI, outlined the structure of the quiz and how the score ratings can be used to generate a personal action plan that incorporates best practice approaches to ageing well.

The launch also acknowledged the theme of this year’s Victorian Seniors Festival, ‘Explore. Engage. Evolve.’ (which runs throughout October and encourages older Victorians to stay curious and connected by exploring new activities, meeting new people, and changing their perceptions of ageing) by showcasing NARI’s Exercise interveNtion outdoor proJect in the cOmmunitY for older people (ENJOY) project.

Professor Pazit Levinger, Principal Researcher at NARI and lead of the ENJOY Seniors Exercise Parks project, explained the process by which NARI has partnered with local governments, government bodies and stakeholders to create age-friendly outdoor spaces for older people that encourage engagement in physical and social activities for more healthier and liveable cities and communities. She also discussed the benefits of designing outdoor public spaces, including parks, leisure spaces and outdoor exercise equipment, to be inclusive for all ages and abilities in order to support healthy ageing. A video featuring the wonderful work of the trained volunteers (champions) using the ENJOY Seniors Exercise Parks can be viewed via the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLTFEixeaWs

Media Contact: 

Amy Parker - Strategic Projects and Communications Manager,
National Ageing Research Institute (NARI)
[email protected]

Available for Comment: 

Healthy Ageing Quiz
Associate Professor Frances Batchelor
Director of Clinical Gerontology and Senior Principal Researcher, NARI
[email protected]

ENJOY Seniors Exercise Parks
Professor Pazit Levinger
Principal Researcher, NARI
[email protected]

About NARI:
The National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) is Australia’s leading independent, non-profit medical research centre dedicated to ageing, health and aged care research. With a strong focus on translational research – from healthy ageing through to end-of-life care across all services and settings – NARI makes a measurable difference to the lives of older people and those who care for them.

Founded in 1976, NARI is highly respected across the community, health, aged care and research sectors in Australia and internationally. Our work is underpinned by effective and meaningful collaboration, engagement and co-design with a range of key stakeholders to understand and respond to identified need. We bring together the expertise of industry leaders, advocacy groups, academics, clinical experts, world-class educators and older people themselves to influence and shape the agenda; providing a bridge between academia, policy and practice by rapidly translating research into accessible evidence, knowledge, tools and resources to enable informed decision making by government, service providers and clinicians. This has positive health, wellbeing, social, cultural, environmental, and economic impacts for individuals and the community.

Current priorities for translational research at NARI include a focus on healthy ageing; prevention and management of medical conditions associated with advancing age; technological solutions to support older people to age well; diversity and inclusion; carer support and education; health and aged care systems evaluation; and evidence-informed model of care development. We are also committed to tackling growing societal issues such ageism and an increasing prevalence of elder abuse as well as challenges in recruiting and retaining a capable and resourced community, health and aged care workforce to meet the needs of Australia’s ageing population.

For more information, visit: www.nari.net.au