Help researchers develop an early warning heat system for older people's homes Griffith University researchers are seeking older Queenslanders to help trial an early warning heat system in the home. Expand Researchers at Griffith University are partnering with older members of the community to develop an early warning heat system in the home to ensure they and others can continue to live at home safely and comfortably. The Ethos project’s in-home solution will allow older people and carers to: monitor heat exposure identify risk in the home respond to heat-associated risks. The Ethos project is inviting older Queenslanders to register their interest in participating in the in-home trials of the early warning heat detection and response communication system during the 2023-2024 summer period. For further information please visit the Ethos Project or download the flyer.
Consultation about catheter care for older people in Victorian residential aged care homes We are seeking key stakeholders in Victorian residential aged care homes, including residents, staff and managers to consult about catheter care. Expand 5-8% of people living in a residential aged care home have an indwelling catheter. NARI's recent analysis of Victorian’s state-based Residential-in-Reach Services (RIRS) and an evaluation conducted by the Australian Centre for Evidence-Based Aged Care identified indwelling urinary catheter (IDC) care for aged care residents as a significant clinical risk. A better understanding of the challenges associated with IDCs and related care is needed to inform effective clinical governance systems. This project seeks to obtain insights into the experience of living with an IDC in residential aged care homes and the barriers to receiving care. We are conducting consultations with key stakeholders in Victorian residential aged care homes, including residents, staff and managers. Our aim is to better understand: Residents' experiences of having an indwelling catheter Staff members' experiences of caring for residents with catheters Managers' experiences of minimising risks associated with catheter use Our study will contribute to a person-centred and evidence-based approach to catheter use in Victorian residential aged care. Register for this project here If you have any queries about the project, please contact Caitlin Tay: [email protected] Find out more about this project
Ageing Well - July 2023 NARI's newsletter Ageing Well - July 2023 Expand In this winter edition, we bring you the latest updates and insights from our work and beyond.June 15 marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), with various events around Australia and the world. Elder abuse continues to impact older people — decreasing quality of life, and significantly increasing mortality risk. The latest prevalence study found that one in six older Australians experience elder abuse in a 12-month period. Also in this newsletter — we celebrate the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Dementia Australia, NARI’s support of a ‘Yes’ vote on the Voice to Parliament, and the wonderful support we received from all of you, towards our Annual Appeal. And that’s just some of what we’ve been up to. Looking ahead, we’re excited to be holding MARC Annual Symposium in August, and NARI’s Annual Summit in September — both featuring a number of guest speakers, sharing their experiences, insights, and hopes for the future of ageing. Ageing Well - July 2023
Ageing Well - March 2023 NARI's newsletter Ageing Well - March 2023 Expand This edition of Ageing Well has an international focus, with NARI’s researchers forging new links in Asia and hosting a visiting scholar, Professor Sigrid Nakrem, from Norway. There are many similar challenges associated with demographic ageing faced by countries throughout the world and it is important both to learn from and contribute knowledge to each other. In this edition we also look at the four projects NARI has been awarded with over $3.5 million in grants funding from the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) to undertake - IDC-IMPROVE, MindCare, BEFRIENDING with GENIE and Move Together. We also celebrate the opening of a new senior's exercise park in Frankston - the 6th park of the NARI ENJOY MAP for HEALTH. Ageing Well - March 2023
Ageing Well - December 2022 NARI's newsletter Ageing Well - December 2022 Expand It has been an exciting few months for the NARI team as we return to face to face events, including the Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) Conference in Adelaide, with 12 NARI presentations and a busy NARI booth. We were also delighted to welcome back our research volunteers for the volunteer Thank You Day, held at the Treacy centre on 8 December, for the first time in 3 years. NARI has also received two significant funding grants from the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), to support continued research into improving the nation’s health and aged care systems, and an Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) grant with Silverchain, to support the advancement of in-home care. Ageing Well - December 2022
2022 Highlights Report The National Ageing Research Institute's 2022 Highlights Report. Expand The National Ageing Research Institute's 2022 Highlights Report gives a snapshot of our programs and achievements for the year. 2022 Highlights Report 2022 Director’s Report and Annual Financial Statements
Ageing Well - September 2022 NARI's newsletter Ageing Well - September 2022 Expand NARI has been proud to launch several multimedia resources over the past two years that are very useful to a wide range of professional and community audiences. Our most recent video resources include the “Art Centres – supporting our elders” film launched during NAIDOC week on SBS, animations to support dementia literacy in CALD communities, and live performances capturing the experiences of people with prolonged grief through poetry and music. NARI has also launched a new open online training course: Caregiving, dementia and incontinence aimed at improving the quality of care for people living with dementia who experience difficulties with continence. The course runs until December. Ageing Well - September 2022
Best Practice continence care in residential aged care Expand Two-Day workshop This 2-day workshop will address the following Aged Care standards Aged Care Standard 1 - Consumer Dignity and choice Aged Care Standard 2 - Ongoing assessment and planning with consumers Aged Care Standard 3 - Personal and Clinical Care. The workshop will focus on the following learning outcomes: Identifying what works and what doesn't to prevent and manage incontinence in residential aged care Applying new knowledge about continence care to recognise and respond to expectations of residents and families. Who Should Attend? Aged care nurses and personal care workers Managers and leaders in residential aged care Nurse educators. Presenters/Facilitators Professor Joan Ostaszkiewicz Elizabeth Watt Matt Clear For further information Email: [email protected]
Introduction to co-designing research with older people (Parts 1 and 2) Expand Half-Day workshops The National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) is offering half day (2.5 hour) online workshops for researchers and health professionals interested in conducting co-design research with older people. These evidence-based highly interactive workshops will draw on the experience of participants. Part one will also focus on: The principles behind good co-design research methods The strengths and limitations of co-design Considerations for involving older people and people living with dementia in co-design. Part two will also focus on: Application of co-design methods, tools and activities in research with older people Ethical considerations of working with older people Supporting meaningful involvement of older people and people living with dementia in co-design. This workshop will address the following Aged Care standards Aged Care Standard 1 - Consumer dignity and choice Aged Care Standard 4 - Services and supports for daily living Who Should Attend? Researchers and health professionals interested in using co-design in research with older people Presenters/Facilitators Professor Briony Dow Ellen Gaffy For further information Email: [email protected]
Ageing Well - June 2022 NARI's newsletter Ageing Well - June 2022 Expand NARI’s work has continued apace despite the ongoing disruptions caused by COVID 19. It is with a great deal of honour and pleasure that we will be hosting Laureate Professor Peter Doherty, AC to provide our Annual Public lecture, Conversations in Ageing on 22 June.It is also the time of year when we approach our supporters and friends to donate to NARI through our Winter Appeal. This helps us continue some of our important and innovative research to help improve the lives of older people regardless of their situation. We are very grateful to our donors and all our sponsors for their ongoing investment in NARI. Ageing Well - June 2022
Ageing Well - March 2022 NARI's newsletter Ageing Well - March 2022 Expand Whilst it hasn’t been the seamless start to the new year we may have hoped for, it has been fantastic to get back to work and back to meeting and learning from fellow industry experts face-to-face after two years almost completely online. Highlights have included our education program — which has been oversubscribed, continuing our research, and participating in the 7th National Elder Abuse Conference in Hobart. Ageing Well - March 2022
GENIE: Online resources to support CALD family carers of people living with dementia Find out how you can help develop GENIE - online resources to support Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) family carers of people living with dementia. Expand The Global dEmeNtIa rEsources (GENIE) project is developing an online database of national and international evidence-based dementia resources to support Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) family carers of people living with dementia. Do you want to contribute to Genie? You can support our development by helping identifying good, evidence-based resources that are freely available online. Professionals: If you are a provider, researcher or health professional, and know of good, evidence-based dementia resource developed for CALD communities or in-language available online, please help by completing our online form. Carers or community members: Are you a carer or community member from a culturally and linguistically diverse background and have used/know of a good, evidence-based dementia resource developed for CALD communities or in-language available online, please help by completing our online form. This project is funded by the Australian Association of Gerontology. To learn more, please contact Dr Josefine Antoniades | [email protected]
2021 Highlights report The National Ageing Research Institute's 2021 Highlights Report. Expand The National Ageing Research Institute's 2021 Highlights Report gives a snapshot of our programs and achievements for the year. 2021 Highlights Report 2021 Director’s Report and Annual Financial Statements
Dealing with racism in aged care Expand Half-day workshop Older Australians and Australia's aged care workforce are increasingly diverse. In order to comply with The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission's Quality Standards, it is important for aged care staff to identify and mitigate cultural conflict. This workshop will address the following Aged Care standards Aged Care Standard 1 - Consumer dignity and choice Aged Care Standard 7 - Human resources Aged Care Standard 8 - Organisational governance This evidence-based highly interactive workshop will draw on the experience of participants and also focus on: Identifying and responding to cultural conflict Creating culturally-safe environments for older people and staff Who Should Attend? Aged care managers and staff Presenters/Facilitators Professor Bianca Brijnath For further information Email: [email protected]
Falls prevention in residential aged care Expand Half-day workshop Are you working with older people in residential aged care who fall over? Do you find this area of work challenging? Would you like to expand your knowledge, share your experiences in falls prevention, and learn the latest evidence to help you improve the care you deliver in the residential aged care setting? If so, then this is for you. At this evidence-based workshop you will learn: What causes falls and what are the risk factors How to effectively screen and assess falls risk Effective strategies for preventing falls Begin to understand how to apply the evidence in REAL settings. This workshop will address the following Aged Care standards Aged Care standard 2 - Ongoing assessment and planning with consumers Aged Care standard 3 - Personal care and clinical care National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program - Q1: Falls and Major Injury Who Should Attend? Any staff working in residential aged care settings - no matter your role. Presenters/Facilitators Associate Professor Frances Batchelor Sue Williams For further information Email: [email protected]
Food and Fitness in older age: Principles of good nutrition and physical activity in later life Expand Half-Day workshop Nutrition and physical activity are modifiable lifestyle factors for optimising health across the lifespan, including in older age. Both play a role in promoting heart and brain health and social well-being and are essential in prevention of malnutrition. Opportunities to improve food intake and physical activity can support and enhance quality of life for older people. This workshop will address the following Aged Care standards Aged Care Standard 3 - Personal and Clinical Care Aged Care Standard 4 - Services and supports for daily living Who Should Attend? Staff working in the community, hospital or residential aged care settings People who are new to the field of aged care and care for older people Allied health professionals with an interest in ageing and aged care Presenters/Facilitators Dr Tania Thodis Professor Pazit Levinger Leona Kosowicz Jess Barry For further information Email: [email protected]
How culture influences dementia Expand Half-day workshop Nearly 30% of older Australians are from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background. The integration of culture into the Australian Aged Care Quality Standards and across several recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety means that all providers have an obligation to provide culturally safe and appropriate care. This is no easy task given the increasing health and cultural complexities of Australia’s older populations. This evidence-based highly interactive workshop will focus on: The challenges and opportunities for services given the changing demographic profile of Australia's older population How to negotiate diverse cultural understandings of dementia and care How to communicate with culturally diverse families about dementia How to access resources This workshop will address the following Aged Care standards Aged Care Standard 1 - Consumer dignity and choice Aged Care Standard 7 - Human resources Who Should Attend? Staff working in the community, hospital or residential aged care settings People who are new to the field of aged care and care for older people Staff working with older people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds Presenters/Facilitators: Professor Bianca Brijnath Dr Josefine Antoniades For further information: Email: [email protected]
Pain in aged care - using the new Pain Management Toolkit Expand Half-day workshop Most residents living in residential aged care facilities have pain. People in pain have the right to the acknowledgment of their pain and to be informed about how it can be assessed and managed by trained health care professionals. This evidence-based interactive workshop will focus on: The prevalence and complexity of pain in residential aged care An introduction to the new Pain Management Guide (PMG) Toolkit, 2nd Edition Strategies, tools and approaches to identify and assess pain How to treat and manage pain This workshop will address the following Aged Care standards Aged Care standard 2 - Ongoing assessment and planning with consumers Aged Care standard 3 - Personal care and clinical care Who Should Attend? Care providers, clinical governance and risk managers Allied health, nursing, clinical and medical staff Researchers and academics Presenters/Facilitators Dr Steve Savvas Dr Christa Dang Ms Marie Vaughan For further information Email: [email protected]
Recognising and responding to grief, loss and bereavement in older adults Expand Half-day workshop Grief is a normal part of life and ageing, yet talking about death and dying in our society is taboo. Older adults are more likely to encounter an accumulation of losses and frequent exposure to grief and bereavement. While many older people and carers experience intense grief, they rarely seek support or are aware of services that may help them to cope. Even when they do seek support, healthcare professionals may not always know how to identify grief in older adults and carers or where to refer them for tailored support. Participants in this evidence-based highly interactive workshop will: Learn how to identify different types of complex grief including Anticipatory Grief, Pre-Death Grief, Prolonged Grief and Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder; Develop insights into the challenges of acknowledging grief and loss and how to overcome them; and Be able to determine when someone needs additional grief support and learn about support services are available. This workshop will address the following Aged Care standards Aged Care standard 4 - Services and supports for daily living Who Should Attend? Practitioners who work with older people and family carers who may be experiencing or struggling to process grief and loss. Presenters/Facilitators Associate Professor Kirsten Moore Dr Katrin Gerber For further information Email: [email protected]
Strategies for tackling loneliness in Aged Care Expand Half-day workshop Loneliness and social isolation can be harmful to both your physical and mental health. According to the Australian Psychology Society, 1 in 4 people experienced an episode of loneliness, and 1 in 2 reported feeling lonely at least once a week. What strategies can we as health practitioners put into place to prevent older people feeling lonely? This evidence-based highly interactive workshop will draw on the experience of participants and also focus on: The psychology behind loneliness, what it is related to, how common it is, what causes it Strategies to prevent loneliness and social isolation in people living in residential aged care and those receiving home care Befriending, volunteers and other ways to expand social networks This workshop will address the following Aged Care standards Aged Care Standard 1 - Consumer dignity and choice Aged Care Standard 4 - Services and supports for daily living Who Should Attend? Staff working in aged care including residential care and home care Staff working in community health settings Other professionals interested in loneliness Presenters/Facilitators Professor Colleen Doyle Marcia Fearn For further information Email: [email protected]
Understanding Australia's Aged Care system Expand Half-day workshop This workshop will provide a system-level overview of how the aged care system operates in Australia. This evidence-based highly interactive workshop will draw on the experience of participants and also focus on: An older person's pathway to receiving aged care services Integration of health and aged care in Australia Problems facing the aged care system, and ways to address them This workshop will address the following Aged Care standards Aged Care Standard 1 - Consumer dignity and choice Aged Care Standard 8 - Organisational governance Who Should Attend? Aged care professionals Older people and/or their carers Researchers Presenters/Facilitators Dr Andrew Gilbert For further information Email: [email protected]
Ageing Well - October 2021 NARI's newsletter Ageing Well - October 2021 Expand NARI was very pleased to celebrate the International Day of Older Persons on October 1, and Australia’s first Ageism Awareness Day. NARI’s vision is “a world where older people are respected, healthy and included”, and part of our approach to achieving this vision is to combat ageism in all its forms. Ageing Well - October 2021
Ageing Well - August 2021 NARI's newsletter Ageing Well - August 2021 Expand As many of us head into lockdowns across Australia, or continue to be locked in or locked out, it is high time for a good news story. That is exactly what we heard on Friday 6th August with the launch by the Hon Ken Wyatt, Minister for Indigeous Australians, of the good news story of the Arts Centres: Supporting our Elders project. Ageing Well - August 2021
Ageing Well - April 2021 NARI's newsletter Ageing Well - April 2021 Expand The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has made it clear the Government needs to act swiftly and comprehensively to provide a fit-for-purpose aged-care system, and NARI has much to offer aged care reform. Ageing Well - April 2021