Clinical Practice

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.…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

Updated delirium care standard encourages the early recognition of people who are most at risk

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care launched the Delirium Clinical Care Standard (2021) at the 2021…

‘Time is running out’ on antibiotic misuse, experts say

High rates of antibiotic misuse in Australian care facilities have raised concerns over the ongoing threat of antimicrobial resistance. A…

Over 80 not ‘over the hill’: how to make ageing meaningful

Old age is not the end. At a time when meaningful ageing is a buzz term in aged care, researchers…

Oral health in aged care: a broken system – opinion

Dental Health Week (2-8 August) puts a focus on oral care both for those at home and in residential aged…

Increase in psychotropic meds linked to GP changes

People with dementia entering aged care experience higher increases in medication when changing GPs, a recent study has found. UNSW…

Older people with HIV are twice as likely to develop ageing-related genetic changes

In breakthrough research, scientists have discovered that older people with HIV have a higher prevalence of genetic blood cell mutations. …

Whiddon implements rapid COVID-19 testing in south-west Sydney home

Aged care provider Whiddon will implement rapid COVID-19 testing at their largest aged care campus, Whiddon Easton Park in Glenfield,…

New education programs launched to help prevent abuse and sexual assault of older people

The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has launched a new education program to tackle abuse of older people. The new…

Blood transfusions at home and in aged care are ‘safe and effective’

The trend from hospital to home-based care, accelerated during the coronavirus pandemic, looks set to continue with the first evidence…

Improving emotional intelligence key to transforming the care in aged care

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality & Safety outlined 148 recommendations for improvement. This leaves little doubt we will…

Alzheimer’s Drug approved in US ‘offers hope’ to millions

Regulators in the US have approved the first new medication for Alzheimer's in nearly two decades. Aducanumab is the first…

Hopes historic WHO report on falls prevention has global impact

Experts hope that recommendations in a new technical report from the World Health Organization (WHO) will reduce global suffering and…

Without funding for critical physiotherapy services, older people are in danger of receiving the cheapest, not the best, care

Harrowing stories of neglect and abuse shone a much-needed spotlight on the aged care sector and led to the landmark…

Isn’t it time we took incontinence seriously?

Over five million Australians aged 15 years and over suffer with bladder or bowel control problems, a figure predicted to…

What older Aussies need, deserve and expect should drive reform: LASA

It has been several weeks since the federal government released the final report from the aged care royal commission and,…

Nurses set new mums on the right path through the right@home program

New research has found that mothers from disadvantaged backgrounds show improved mental and physical wellbeing when given regular visits from…