Healthy aging and aged care research group

The Healthy Ageing and Aged Care research group has a focus on occupations affecting healthy ageing and quality issues in the delivery of aged care services. It focuses on the impact of the large demographic shift resulting from a longer average lifespan, declining birth rates and the ageing of the “baby boomer” generation. Research addresses issues of independence, interdependence and lifestyle choice and
focuses on residential and community care issues, which impact on quality of life. Service development and evaluation models and cultures of care, service ethics and personal development in the last stages of life are key research areas. If you are interested in collaborative research or doing a research degree under the auspices of this group, contact the relevant researchers below.

Research Group Convenor:

Other researchers in the group:

Current Research Projects

Improving Relational Aspects of Aged Care
Ruth Marquis, Susan Hall
Granting Agency: AEGIS Health Care

This study aims to develop benchmarks for quality relationships in residential aged care centres along with processes for implementing these benchmarks to achieve continuos improvement within centres. Two major objectives of the study are to establish a set of validated benchmarks for relationship care based on previous research findings and to develop a range of models and training strategies for implementing the benchmarks in aged care centres. The benchmarks are being tested in a four-phase process, which involves standard validation processes as well as processes for implementing the benchmarked practices in three selected aged care centres.

Current Research Student projects

Recent publications

Marquis, R. (2002). Quality in aged care: a question of relational ethics? Australasian Journal on Ageing. 21(1), 25-29

Marquis, R., Freegard, H. & Webster, B. (Submitted February 2002). Providing quality dementia care: More than a job

Webster, B., Cameron , D. & Marquis, R. (Submitted March 2001). Technology enhancing the lives of older people: An Australian perspective

Webster, B., Cameron , D. & Marquis, R. (Submitted January 2002). Information and communication technology: Independence and autonomy

Webster, B., Cameron , D. & Marquis, R. (Submitted March 2002). Attitudes towards emerging technologies: A voice from Australian seniors.