Professor Tracy Comans

B.Econ (Hons), B.Phty, PhD

Director, NARI

Prof Tracy Comans is the Director of the National Ageing Research Institute, a position she leverages to influence aged care policy and quality on a national scale and Professor in the Centre for Health Services Research, University of Queensland. With her extensive background in health policy, health economics and physiotherapy, Prof Comans brings a unique perspective to her role, bridging the gap between evidence and policy. Prof Comans has been instrumental in shaping aged care policy, using her research to inform and influence implementation of the Royal Commission recommendations. Her work has led to significant advancements in the reporting of the quality of aged care services.

Prof Comans worked for over 20 years in hospital and community settings specializing in geriatric and rehabilitation physiotherapy with embedded research and has worked for over a decade as a university researcher. She works closely with industry, people with lived experience and health care providers to develop a program of research focused on improving the quality of aged care services that is relevant to the needs of these groups.

Email: [email protected]

Latest

Seminars in Ageing: Putting patient values into shared decision making

Join us Tuesday 30th July for the Seminar in Ageing presented by Sharyn Milnes who will discuss the topic: Putting patient values into shared decision making
Launch of the Framework for Enabling Technology-supported Aged Care at Home

Join us for the launch of the Framework for Enabling Technology-supported Aged Care at Home, Friday 9th August 2024, 12:30 – 1.15pm AEST, register to attend in person or online (Zoom). Note in-person attendence has limited capacity.
Wendy Taylor

Wendy is the project manager of the MRFF-funded IDC-IMPROVE project. Her research interests include the aged care workforce, new models of care and dementia. She has expertise in qualitative research and evaluation and a strong commitment to research translation.
Conversations on Ageing: Understanding, embracing & supporting Neurodiversity as we age

Join us on 14 August at 6:00pm for our free online Conversation on Ageing 2024 to hear from Professor Sandra Thom-Jones & Professor Mark Bellgrove.

Stephen Thomas

Stephen Thomas is a Director of the NARI board since late 2023. He brings an extensive range of experience to the board, having worked in the health and care industry for over 30 years across clinical, operational, and executive roles.
Lisa Seath

As Chief Financial Officer of NARI, Lisa Seath manages the finance operations at NARI, overseeing financial reporting and budgeting. Lisa has worked for multi-national and local companies both in Australia and in the UK.
Elizabeth Watt

Liz is a Registered Nurse and Senior Research Fellow at NARI. Liz is currently working on the development and evaluation of a Massive Online Open Course – Caregiving, Dementia and Incontinence and the IDC-IMPROVE project aimed at improving care of older people in residential care who have a urinary catheter.
Michael Tandora

Michael Tandora became a Director of the NARI Board in May 2023. He has practised as a commercial litigation solicitor since 2004. He is a Special Counsel at the Australian law firm Mills Oakley. He has also worked at international law firms Ashurst, Baker McKenzie and King & Wood Mallesons.
Sue Leitch

Sue is a Director on the NARI Board with experience in social and health policy for older people. Her key areas of interest are elder abuse, ageism, social policy to support active ageing and age friendly communities. She is a visual artist working in issues for older women.
Dr Marina Cavuoto

Dr Marina Cavuoto is a Clinical Neuropsychologist specialising in cognition in healthy ageing, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia. She is a Senior Research Fellow at NARI. She manages the MINDSET study: Improving Interpreting For Dementia Assessments, and the No More Shame study on Elder abuse prevention.
Janice Besch

Janice Besch is a Director of the NARI Board. Ms Besch is the Head of the Grants Development Team at Hunter Medical Research Institute. In conjunction with this appointment, which is on a part-time basis, she provides consultancy advice independently and as a Senior Consultant with Outside Opinion.
Associate Professor Tuan Anh Nguyen

A/Prof Tuan Anh Nguyen is a Principal Research Fellow. His current research relates to the development and implementation of national dementia strategies with a focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Amy Parker

Amy is a Senior Policy and Practice Research Fellow within the Clinical Gerontology Division at NARI. With a clinical background in physiotherapy, and significant project management experience in the public health care system, she leads NARI’s program of work for the Victorian Department of Health regarding older people policy.
Professor Danny Liew

Professor Danny Liew is a Director of the NARI Board. He is the Dean of Medicine and Head of the Adelaide Medical School at the University of Adelaide.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Healthy Ageing Quiz

If you're 50 or over, take our Healthy Ageing Quiz to find out if you're on the right track to age well.
How to stay active at home - Exercises for older people

NARI's exercise videos can help older people stay active at home, particularly during times when you may not be as physically active outdoors. The exercises were developed by allied health professionals with expertise in exercise for older people.
MINDSET: Free training to interpreters for Dementia Assessments

MINDSET is providing free specialist online dementia training to all interpreters across Australia regardless of level or language!
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.