ARC Fellowship – Accessible Quality of Life Assessment Supporting People with Cognitive Impairment

The Innovation Hub recognises the importance of actively improving the quality of Life of older people experience care. Care should be a positive experience that supports enjoying live.

As part of a collaboration with the Caring Futures Institute at Flinders University the Aged Care Innovation Hub is the industry host for The Australian Research Council Early Career Industry Fellowship for Associate Professor Rachel Milte.

The project will focus on developing accessible tools to assess quality of life for people experience dementia or cognitive impairment. This is significant as the majority of older people in residential care in Australia have a diagnosis of memory loss or cognitive impairment.

The aim is to support as many Older Australians as possible to give feedback on what’s most important to them and what impact and enables their quality of life. Many current tools rely on family or friends to speak on their loved one’s behalf. Whilst this proxy assessment is sometimes needed, better outcomes that reflect nuances of aspirations and preferences of individuals are possible with more accessible self-assessment.

The project employs a co-design approach, with input into the tool development by Older Australians living in Innovation Hub Member Organisations residential care homes. This project is part of the Innovation Hub’s commitment to supporting the voice of older Australians and building next generation care that responds to what’s more important for each individual.

It also demonstrates our commitment to evidence-based innovation to improve the experience of care for Older Australians.

Interest in this project and want to know more, contact us. {link to contact page}

You can contact Rachel at https://www.flinders.edu.au/people/rachel.milte