Research into ageing in rural communities
JULY 2018
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Professor Irene Blackberry welcomes you to the first edition of John Richards Centre newsletter, a leading interdisciplinary ageing and aged care research centre in rural communities since 2007. We thank John Richards OAM and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services for their ongoing support.
Bold Thinking
La Trobe University Bold Thinking Series "Forever Young: how can we age without getting old?" was held at the Cube Wodonga on May 24. This successful event was facilitated by Francis Leach with Renata Singer, Professor Irene Blackberry and Dr Rachel Winterton.
We thank community members for the lively discussion and invite you to a community consultation in early August on the proposed LIFE Hub concept (please next section).
LIFE HUB
We invite you to a community consultation on the proposed Lifelong Intergenerational Facility and Education (LIFE) Hub, a transformative centre for research, education and training. This world class hub facilitates intergenerational lifelong learning, wellbeing and engagement between older people, university, community and industry, based at La Trobe University Albury-Wodonga campus.
Please contact Monica Jones or phone (02) 6024 9707 for more information.
Current Projects
SCOPING THE SKILLS AND TRAINING NEEDS OF COMMUNITY CARE WORKERS IN RURAL AREAS
The current workforce of appropriately skilled and committed aged care workforce in rural areas will need to triple by 2050. This project seeks to profile how this problem is experienced within the rural context.
VIRTUAL DEMENTIA FRIENDLY RURAL COMMUNITIES
This Commonwealth funded project trials innovative online technologies to support carers of people living with dementia in 12 rural communities across Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.
WEBSTER REGIONAL DEMENTIA CARE: CO-DESIGNING DEMENTIA HEALTH SERVICES IN BENDIGO
This project aims to improve dementia care pathways in Bendigo and surrounding area.
BRAG
The BRAG (Border Rural Ageing Group) is the Albury-Wodonga Rural Chapter of the Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG). The BRAG group, is comprised of AAG members across the Border who have an interest in rural ageing. We are seeking new members to join our regular meetings. Please contact Associate Professor Suzanne Hodgkin or Jozette Dellemain for more information.
Palliative Care and Ageing
The BRAG hosted a successful professional development session on Palliative Care and Ageing on June 19, attended by over 70 health care workers.
The next event on Consumer Directed Care is planned for later in the year. Please register your interest here.
Recent Publications
Farmer, J., Hilary, D., Blackberry, I. and de Cotta, T.
Assessing the value of rural community health services.
Winterton, R., Butt, A., Jorgensen, B. and Martin, J.
Local government perspectives on rural retirement migration and social sustainability.
Hodgkin, S., Warburton, J. and Hancock, S. Predicting wellness among rural older Australians: a cross- sectional study
Be involved in our research
Do you have any ideas or suggestions for research? Please contact us.
Phone: (02) 6024 9718
Email: jrc@latrobe.edu.au
READ MORE ABOUT JOHN RICHARDS CENTRE FOR RURAL AGEING RESEARCH >
