45 and Up Study of healthy ageing

UnitingCare Ageing has announced its role as partner in the 45 and Up Study – the most comprehensive healthy ageing study of its kind undertaken in the Southern Hemisphere.

The study, established and managed by the Sax Institute, involves monitoring 250,000 participants aged 45 and over across NSW the next several decades.

Data tracked includes physical activity, stress levels, medical history, social support and employment status.

As the only aged care provider included in the study, UnitingCare Ageing is planning to use the results of the study to inform the development of services for older people in the future.

With an increasingly ageing population, director, UnitingCare Ageing, Gillian McFee, believes it is paramount to remain progressive and innovative in supplying care to meet the changing needs of clients.

“We have to start changing our delivery of care now for the anticipated growth in older people, many of whom have complex care needs. Present models need to be challenged to continue moving forward with the changing population demands, particularly in the areas of technology, leisure pursuits and ways of enabling more consumer directed care.

“This study will provide us with in-depth qualitative and quantitative knowledge which will allow us to make the best possible informed decisions about the nature of the care services we provide,” Ms McFee said.

“Being part of the study with other study partners like beyondblue, the NSW Cancer Council and the National Heart Foundation also provides important opportunities for us to work collaboratively with other agencies to consider the wider aspects of the ageing process,” Ms McFee said.

It is also hoped that the study will assist UnitingCare Ageing in shaping future employment and recruitment practices to attract the right type of people to their services.

Recruitment for the 45 and Up Study was completed in January of this year and involves 10% of NSW residents aged 45 and over who were randomly selected.