Victorian Seniors Week
A new project is being implemented to utilise the community aged care workforce more efficiently
During Victorian Seniors Week, Monash University is sparing no effort in its research programs to improve the lives, health and wellbeing of seniors around the world.
The nation’s largest primary prevention study is currently underway in metropolitan and regional Australia. It could potentially assist in prolonging a healthier life for the elderly. ASPREE (ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) is a study led by Monash University researchers that will determine aspirin’s potential for reducing heart attack, stroke, the onset of dementia and certain cancers in otherwise healthy people aged 70 and over.
Professor John McNeil, Head, School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine and the Principal Investigator for ASPREE said this study will also determine if potential health benefits outweigh the risks of regular aspirin in this age group. The study aims to follow 12,500 healthy people aged 70 and over for five years.
Professor Colette Browning, Head, School of Primary Health Care, is co-director of the Melbourne Longitudinal Studies on Health Ageing (MELSHA) program, an ongoing population based study of 1000 people aged 65 years and over living in non-institutional settings.
The baseline survey for the MELSHA program began in 1994 when concepts such as health and active ageing were rarely considered. MELSHA’s focus was to identify avenues for changing individual actions and social environments that influence the health and wellbeing of older people, with participant follow-ups conducted every two years.
Professor Browning is also working with Dr Marisa Cordella, School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics on the Intergenerational, Intercultural Encounters and Second Language Development Project which focuses on connecting younger second language learners of Chinese, German and Spanish, with older bilinguals.
The interaction between the two groups promotes mutually beneficial encounters which enhances the outcomes for the young language learners. For the older participants it provides an opportunity for greater social engagement, resulting in an enhanced sense of empowerment, wellbeing and self-esteem.
Inter-generational interaction is considered by gerontologists to be essential for healthy ageing. The opportunity to pass on one’s linguistic and cultural expertise provides an enhanced active ageing experience.
Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) is conducting a five year international study of older drivers. The study will provide a better understanding of how to effectively reduce motor vehicle related injuries and deaths among older drivers.
Dr Jude Charlton, Chief Investigator at MUARC said the results from this study may help the development of a simple, objective screening tool to assist healthcare professional to identify the small number of older drivers who may be unsafe.
Monash Sport is also doing its part to help keep seniors active and healthy through older adult classes at the Peninsula campus. The classes focus on functional exercises, which assist in everyday activities, all done in a fun filled environment with lots of laughter and great music.
Victorian Seniors Week runs from 2-9 October. Visit Department of Planning and Community Development for the full program of events.