While the results of these programs of research may not yet be known, awareness of work in progress can inform other works in the planning phase and serve to connect researchers with potential participants or future collaborators. The following research trials were identified and added to the Knowledge and Implementation Hub in September 2022. For clinical trials on mental health and wellbeing topics added since this time, try searching the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. Please contact us if you would like to register an Australian study or project focusing on mental health and wellbeing in an aged care setting.
EMBED: A stepped wedge cluster randomised trial of a tailored, integrated model of care to reduce symptoms of depression in home aged care
Lead organisation: Monash University
Status: In progress
Funding organisation: Medical Research Future Fund, 2021 Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission
Older people who receive aged care services at home are at a high risk of depression but lack access to effective treatments. Aged care staff are mostly not trained to recognise or manage symptoms of depression. This research will evaluate Enhanced Management of home-Based Elders with Depression. (EMBED)—a new model of care that is expected to reduce symptoms of depression, address stigma and enable older Australians to access evidence-based, tailored treatment at home.
A preventative care program to optimise mental health during transition into residential aged care (2022-2022)
Lead organisation: University of Newcastle
Status: In progress
Funding organisation: Medical Research Future Fund, 2021 Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission
The transition from living in the community to residential aged care (a nursing home), is a stressful experience for the person and their family that can lead to poor mental health. We designed a program to assist the new resident (PEARL), the family (aSTART), and to provide additional training for staff (Dignity of Choice). We expect the combination of programs will reduce and prevent symptoms of depression in the resident. We will evaluate the impact of the program to guide national rollout.
Meeting psychological needs to improve the quality and safety of aged care (2020-2025)
Lead organisation: Flinders University
Status: In progress
Funding organisation: 2019 Investigator Grants: Medical Research Future Fund Priority Round
Improving the quality and safety of aged care is in best the interests of us all: two-thirds of us will access an aged care service in our lifetime. Innovative models of care that could achieve this aim exist, but a fundamental lack of expertise about how to implement them into the complex aged care sector gets in the way. This research will trial new approaches and identify the key ingredients to assist the aged care sector to implement the best-quality care.
Technology assisted and remotely delivered anxiety psychotherapy intervention for people living with dementia and their care partners (Tech-CBT) (2021-2025)
Lead organisation: University of Queensland
Status: In progress
Funding organisation: Medical Research Future Fund, 2020 Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission
Anxiety is a rising concern and a largely unmet need in people living with dementia and their carers. This research evaluates whether a new technology assisted psychotherapy intervention to reduce anxiety in individuals with dementia and carers (Tech-CBT), is an effective, scalable and cost-effective tool for improving quality of life and for decreasing adverse health outcomes for those living with dementia and their carers. We will also assess the potential and ease of its future uptake.
The impact of befriending on depression, anxiety, social support and loneliness in older adults living in residential aged care facilities (BEFRIENDAS)
Lead organisation: National Ageing Research Institute
Status: In progress
Supporting organisation(s): -
Funding organisation: NHMRC and Beyond Blue
About half of people living in residential aged care facilities may have significant depression symptoms. Many residents are socially isolated in RACFs even though they are in communal living, and social isolation is a contributor to depression. We propose a trial of befriending which is emotional and social support from trained volunteers. Volunteers will be trained using Beyondblue resources and a manual developed by the investigators. Published protocol available here.
ELders AT Ease Program (ELATE): A cluster randomized controlled trial of a sustainable and scalable mental health service for Australian residential aged care facilities
Lead organisation: Swinburne University of Technology
Status: In progress
Supporting organisation(s): ACU and UniSA
Funding organisation: NHMRC and Beyond Blue
The ELATE program examines the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and reminiscence techniques for reducing depression, anxiety and suicide ideation in residential aged care settings. Involves more than 50 residential aged care facilities in Victoria. The study provides an immediate accessible service to residents. It addresses the need to improve the training of aged care staff in recognising and responding to mental health care needs of the resident. It also addresses the need to involve families in meaning ways to assist their relatives living in residential care.
MHICare: Mental health benchmarking industry tool for residential aged care
Lead organisation: University of Queensland
Status: In progress
Supporting organisation(s): -
Funding organisation: Unknown
This project aims to improve the care and management of resident’s mental health in Residential Aged Care. MHICare will achieve this by developing a unique tool to help aged care homes identify how well they are performing at meeting the needs of resident’s mental health. This will help aged care homes identify their own strengths and weaknesses for future improvement.
Prioritising Psychological Wellbeing To Improve The Quality And Safety Of Aged Care
Lead organisation: SAMHRI and ROSA
Status: Complete
Supporting organisation(s): -
Funding organisation: NMHRC and MRFF
The study analysed data from the Registry of Senior Australians on all non-Indigenous people living in 2851 Australian aged care facilities between 2012 and 2017, finding minimal increases in access across various categories in those five years. The authors recommend permanently widening eligibility criteria for Medicare access, initiatives to train and embed the mental health workforce into aged care services, upskilling existing staff, clearer referral pathways and the ongoing monitoring of programs to ensure quality and continued investment.
Towards better mental health of people with dementia within Residential Aged Care: Co-design of a performance measurement tool to aid RAC organisational governance
Lead organisation: University of Queensland
Status: In progress
Supporting organisation(s): -
Funding organisation: Dementia Australia Research Foundation Project Grants
This study will co-design a performance measurement tool to aid RAC organisational governance