Summary: Playgroup Victoria and Barwon Health – Percy Baxter Lodges are collaborating with NARI on a DHS funded “Count Us In” project investigating an Intergenerational Playgroup in a Residential Aged Care Facilities. This project aims to establish and evaluate a playgroup in an aged care facility that promotes greater intergenerational understanding; and facilitates inclusion for people living in the residential aged care facility and interaction between the residents and members of the playgroup. The project will involve trialling a playgroup and evaluating the impact of the playgroup for residents, staff and families. The evaluation will include questionnaires for residents, staff and parents/caregivers of the children attending the playgroup. Questionnaires will be completed on two occasions - prior to the commencement and after the completion of a six months trial of the weekly playgroup. A focus group for residents will be held at the completion of the program.

Year: 2005-2006

Staff: Keith Hill, Jane Sims, Betty Haralambous, Sue Hunt and the Project Expert Advisory Group

Summary:

The Australian Government’s Department of Health and Ageing commissioned the National Ageing Research Institute to develop a discussion paper and recommendations for physical activity for older Australians. The project commenced in mid November 2005, and was completed at the end of April 2006.  The scope included community and residential care settings.  The key elements of the project included:

• Phase 1: Conceptual framework development
• Phase 2: Reviewing evidence (systematic reviews, and more recent randomized controlled trials) and existing guidelines
• Phase 3: Formulating the recommendations
• Phase 4: Refinement of the recommendations, including consultation forums with consumers
• Phase 5: Presenting the deliverables.

The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing is currently determining the strategy for dissemination of the recommendations.

Funding source: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing

Publications: Sims J, Hill K, Hunt S, Haralambous B, Brown A, Engel L, et al. National physical activity recommendations for older Australians: Discussion document. Canberra (AUST): Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing; 2006.

Discussion document available here....

Recommendations available here

Further information is available on Department of Health and Ageing website.

Year: 2007-2008

Staff: Leslie Dowson, Kirsten Moore, Jean Tinney, Kay Ledgerwood

Summary: Sleep is necessary for good health at all stages of life. The need for restorative sleep is not dependent on age, and should not be assumed to lessen with age. Generally, some changes in sleep may be considered part of normal ageing; however, normal changes should not cause personal dissatisfaction with quantity or quality of sleep. This literature review aims to explore the prevalence and causes of sleep disturbances in older populations, with an emphasis on those in residential care and including the large percentage of older people living with dementia in residential care. It also aims to explore evidence-based strategies to improve sleep in residential care, and offer recommendations for further research based on sound evidence and protocols.

Funding source: Aged Care Branch, Victorian Department of Human Services

Literature review: The full literature review can be downloaded here ....

Year: 2007-2008

Staff: Betty Haralambous, Freda Vrantsidis, Emma Renehan, Kay Ledgerwood, Keith Hill, Sue Hendy, Stephanie Harper, Mitsuko Penberthy

Summary: In partnership with the Council on the Ageing, NARI recently completed a project that investigated the health and wellbeing benefits for older people starting the Living Longer, Living Stronger strength training program. Living Longer Living Stronger (LLLS) is a community based strength training program for people 50 years and over, endorsed by the Council on the Ageing, and is a high quality, affordable, program available in 120 locations throughout Victoria. Sixty six people were recruited and assessed at baseline; 35 completed a 4 month assessment and 24 remained to complete the 8 month assessment. Withdrawals were due to health, family and other time commitments and most who withdrew indicated that they would like to return to the program in the near future.

Improvements were identified for the 35 participants who completed a 4 month assessment and for the 24 participants who completed an 8 month assessment. Balance (step test), gait (stride length), cardiovascular fitness (distance covered in 6 minutes), leg strength (sit to stand), activities of daily living (physical performance test) and reported health transition (SF-36; comparing health today to a year ago) all improved significantly. Where no significant improvement was evident, performance levels were generally maintained; very few measures reported a drop in performance.

Funding Source: William Buckland Foundation

Reports: The final report can be downloaded here...

Year: 2005-06

Staff: Briony Dow, Kirsten Moore

Summary: This project was a small scale study aimed to examine the feasibility of undertaking a larger randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a computer intervention aimed at reducing social isolation and depression amongst older carers. This feasibility study involved 14 older carers living in the Pyrenees area of rural Victoria (Grampians region). The study was conducted by NARI with assistance from Infoxchange and Carers Choice.  This study found that it would be feasible to conduct a larger randomised controlled trial to establish whether Internet and email usage can reduce depression and social isolation amongst older carers. The carer participants increased their confidence in using the Internet and email and all intended to continue using their computers after the study period. Depressive symptoms were reduced amongst participants and they identified many other social and psychological benefits of being able to use computers, send and receive emails and use the Internet. The main recommendation from this study was to conduct a larger randomised controlled trial of the intervention. 

Funding source: beyondblue: the national depression initiative

Reports: The full report can be downloaded here ....

Year: 2003-04

Staff: Betty Haralambous, Joan Nankervis, Kirsten Moore, Melita Taylor

Summary: The aim of this project was to identify the enablers, barriers and structural supports that affect an older person's ability to comply with health promoting behaviour.

The project entailed a comprehensive literature review and a series of focus groups. Focus groups were held with service providers from Primary Care Partnerships and Falls and Balance Clinics and with older people using services in order to identify the issues that promote and prevent older people from taking up health promoting behaviours and activities. A project report has been produced, including recommendations for health professionals on strategies that will further facilitate health-promoting behaviour.

Funding source: Victorian Department of Human Services

Reports: The following documents from the "Achieving Health Promotion Behaviour Change Among Older Victorians" study are accessible here:
- Literature Review, available here ....  , and
- the Final Report, available here ....

Year: 2003

Staff: Betty Haralambous, Deborah Osborne, Marcia Fearn, Kirsten Moore, Joan Nankervis, Keith Hill

Summary: The aim of the project was to explore the role of psychological, physiological, socio-cultural and socio-environmental factors relating to participation in physical activity. It was designed to explore similarities and variations in local environments, the Western Metropolitan Region and the Eastern Metropolitan Region. These regions reflect differences by socio-economic status, contain a high proportion of people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and represent two of most rapidly ageing regions in Melbourne. A major component of the project was the use of a qualitative approach, specifically focus group methodology, to explore factors relating to participation in physical activity. There was clear acknowledgement from the focus group participants that physical activity was important to health. In addition, a number of themes emerged from the focus groups.

"This research was undertaken by the National Ageing Research Institute as part of research program agreed by the Department of Human Services. The recommendations and views expressed in the document do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the Department of Human Services."

Funding source: Victorian Department of Human Services

Reports: The following documents from the "Participation in Physical Activity Amongst Older People" study are accessible here:
- Final Report, available here ....  
- Appendix 7a, available here ....
- Appendix 7b, available here ....

Year: 2003-04

Staff: Lisa Engel, Keith Hill

Summary: This project investigated the impact of using a pedometer on time spent walking in older people with Type 2 diabetes. The study used a randomised control and intervention group design. Both groups received a coaching program to support uptake of walking programs and assist with goal setting, the intervention group also used pedometers to monitor performance. Results at 3 months and 6 months showed significant improvements on key outcomes including walking time for both groups, but there was no significant differences between the groups.

Funding source: The Diabetes Australia Research Trust

Year: 2002-03

Staff: Keith Hill, Natalie ElHaber, Barb Whiteford (Care Connect), Marie Vosti (Care Connect), Pek Hill (Sunbury CHC)

Summary: A small pilot study was undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of a simplified type of tai chi (Tai Chi for Arthritis) for frail older people receiving community services. Nine participants commenced the twice weekly, four month program. Five completed the program. Those completing the program achieved small improvements in most of the balance and mobility related measures, and reported subjective improvements associated with the program. Tai Chi for Arthritis appears a suitable and practical form of exercise for frailer older people, and this approach warrants a larger study to identify the effectiveness across a range of health domains.

Funding source: Care Connect Inc.

Reports: The final report "Tai Chi for arthritis: a feasibility study with frail older people receiving community services" is available here ....

Year: 2001-03

Staff: Keith Hill, Robyn Smith, Marcia Kays, Mary Rydberg (Villa Maria Carer Services), Rachel Oliphant (Villa Maria Carer Services)

Summary: Over 100 carers participated in a supported physical activity program through 9 community centres in the Eastern Metropolitan Region. The carers participated in up to twice weekly programs of strength training, tai chi, or yoga for a six month period. Results indicated significant improvements in a number of measures.

Funding source: Villa Maria Carer Services

Year: 2000-01

Staff: Keith Hill, Whanseok Choi, Joanna Condron, Robyn Smith

Summary: The effectiveness of 24 form Beijing style tai chi was evaluated on balance and mobility related outcomes. The tai chi was conducted three times weekly for three months. Nineteen participants with an average age of 71 years completed the program. Results indicated improvements in balance and gait.

Funding source: MacPherson Smith Trust