A world-first study has linked older people's self-reported quality of life as a predictor of future cardiovascular disease and other adverse health implications. Every day, 118 Australians pass away due to a heart-related illness, and the risks increase with age. The study, led ...
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Study reveals lack of rural mental health specialists for older people
A new study has highlighted the lack of rural health services available for older people living with mental health conditions. Researchers from Flinders University surveyed 6000 older people in remote South Australia and found that 13 per cent lived with ...
More »Poor eyesight linked to ‘devastating’ cognitive misdiagnosis
New research has found that older people with poor eyesight might be mistakenly diagnosed with cognitive impairment. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects one in seven people over the age of 50 and is the leading cause of blindness. During cognitive ...
More »The crucial role of social networks for older people’s wellbeing – Podcast
Older people struggling with their mental health during COVID-19 did not seek support due to technology barriers and health fears, a study has found. The team of researchers at Edith Cowan University (ECU) surveyed nearly 200 people aged over 70 ...
More »New psychotropic guidelines in aged care launched to combat over-prescription – Podcast
A new guideline has been released this week to help inform the aged care sector about the appropriate use of psychotropic treatment. Research has shown that high rates of older people with dementia receive psychotropic medication when entering residential aged ...
More »New program aims to address high rates of elderly suicide
Nearly one in five men who die of suicide in Australia are aged over 60, with suicide rates for males aged 85 the highest of any age group, meaning the need for targeted and tailored prevention training is growing. Anglicare’s ...
More »Antipsychotic use still rife in residential care: report
Over half of elderly residents on antipsychotics have no diagnosis for psychosis, a national report has shown, reigniting calls to embed trained pharmacists into aged care. Last week, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) released its first quarterly ...
More »New home care service to help regional Queenslanders stay at home longer
A Queensland couple has launched a new home care franchise to meet the increasing demand for quality aged and disability care in their regional town. Liz and Harry Jackson launched the Nurse Next Door home care service in Toowoomba to ...
More »The silent muscle disease affecting 1 in 5 older Australians
Do you have difficulty getting out of a chair, opening a jar or crossing the road? If yes, you may be showing signs of sarcopenia, which causes the accelerated loss or failure of skeletal muscle mass and function. An estimated ...
More »What older adults want to improve their quality of life
Quality of life measures in the aged care industry have typically relied on clinical indicators, such as an individual's weight, past medical history or prescription use. Professor Julie Ratcliffe from Flinders University led a team to interview 3,000 older Australians ...
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