The Ian Potter Foundation - Public Health Research grant

Overarching aim: To improve mental health and wellbeing amongst older adults transitioning into permanent residential aged care (RAC) through reduction of depression and anxiety. Specific objectives: 1. Co-design an evidence-informed psychological intervention tailored to improve mental health and optimise wellbeing in older Australians transitioning into permanent RAC. 2. Pilot and evaluate the intervention with a cohort of older adults transitioning to RAC in three locations. 3. Work with key stakeholders to implement the intervention in partnership with aged care providers in NSW, Victoria, and Tasmania.
The intervention will be co-designed, co-produced, trialled, evaluated, and implemented in collaboration with older Australians, informal carers, industry care providers Uniting AgeWell and St Agnes Care and Lifestyle (inclusive of managerial and direct care staff), and researchers from Charles Sturt University, Federation University, and the National Ageing Research Institute. The intervention will specifically target older Australians who have not yet transitioned into a RAC facility.