University of Canberra Introduces CARAT: A Trailblazing Hub for Elder Rights and Recognition

As the Australian population ages, there will be increased demand for healthcare services that are tailored to the needs of elderly patients. In recent years, however, controversies in the quality of aged care at facilities across the nation have highlighted a clear disconnect between the needs of patients, and what universities see as best practice.

To tackle this disparity, researchers at the University of Canberra have teamed up, launching a brand new hub to advocate for the improvement of aged care services nationwide. The Centre for Ageing Research and Translation (CARAT) looks to transform the role that universities have in the care of elderly Australians, and positions the university as a leader, demonstrating what is possible in the aged care space.

Focus Areas of CARAT

CARAT has three core focus areas — with a notable focus on three core themes, that being dementia and cognition, workforce, and innovative models of care.

Each of these three areas recognises the multi-faceted problems that healthcare providers must tackle to provide the best patient care experience possible. Dementia, for example, is a widespread issue amongst older Australians, a leading cause of death for elderly women, and is only expected to grow in prevalence in the decades to come.

Understanding dementia on its own is helpful, however, understanding how best practice intertwines with other elements of research can assist researchers in determining the conditions necessary to support the health of aging Australia.

For example, it is well known that there is currently a high demand for aged care professionals around Australia, with many firms recruitment and retention for potential employees can sometimes be very difficult.

CARAT’s research endeavours to understand what’s possible, while considering the current and future requirements of aged care recruitment nationwide.

The team is led by Professor Diane Gibson, a globally renowned researcher specialising in ageing and aged care, particularly in the interface that research and policy provide. Overall, the CARAT team contains approximately 30 researchers across the university affiliated with the program, forming a multidisciplinary team that is already having a real-world impact.

Discussing the launch of CARAT at an event in February 2024, Professor Gibson was optimistic about the benefits that the program could bring to elderly Australians, saying “We look forward to further opportunities for our work to have a greater impact in improving the lives of older people across Australia and the world.”

Clinical Placements with Older People (CPOP)

One such program that is having an impact is a Commonwealth-backed initiative that looks to raise the profile of gerontological nursing in Australia.

With CARAT leading the initiative, the Clinical Placements with Older People (CPOP) program works with aged and healthcare providers to provide nurses with high-quality clinical placements that empower them to use the skills they’ve acquired in a highly relevant workplace.

Gerontological nursing qualifications empower nurses with skills that are specific to working in aged care.  This includes specific training on aspects of care that are not typically covered in non-specialised nursing roles.

This can be beneficial for both nurses and patients alike and can help ensure that patients receive the best possible care available, and students are afforded the best possible opportunity to work on their nursing skills in a contextually relevant environment.

For many Australians, understanding the role that aged care will play in the lives of elderly relatives will be crucial in driving positive care outcomes.

This can be especially relevant for those undertaking a course such as a Master of Social Work, as CARAT’s work aspires to blur the line between the classroom and the aged care facility.

For more information: studyonline.canberra.edu.au

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