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5 days ago | 
healthcarechannel.co | Ritchelle Drilon
Two 65-year-olds may look identical on paper, but one will live to 90 while the other dies at 72. Columbia University scientists have developed a revolutionary ageing tool that can predict who’s who, using nothing more than basic medical tests. The breakthrough method measures how fast you’re ageing, not just how old you are.
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5 days ago | 
healthcarechannel.co | Ritchelle Drilon
New research has found that depression diagnosed in midlife or later may not only increase a person’s risk of developing dementia, but could also be an early indicator of the disease itself. The study, published in eClinicalMedicine, was led by researchers from the University of Adelaide in collaboration with the University of Nottingham and Curtin University. It is one of the most comprehensive investigations to date, combining an umbrella review of eight studies and a meta-analysis of 18 others.
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5 days ago | 
healthcarechannel.co | Ritchelle Drilon
Virtual reality (VR), often associated with video games, is being repurposed by Australian researchers to help older adults reduce their risk of falling, a major public health issue for people aged 65 and over. In a recent study led by Dr Yoshiro Okubo from Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and UNSW Sydney, VR technology was used to train older adults in obstacle avoidance, a key skill that can prevent trips and slips.
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5 days ago | 
healthcarechannel.co | Ritchelle Drilon
Significant gaps in medication oversight have been revealed across Australian aged care facilities, with a major national audit showing that many facilities are falling short of recommended safety standards despite government recommendations.
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1 week ago | 
healthcarechannel.co | Ritchelle Drilon
Rehabilitation is often a long and challenging journey. After an illness, injury, or surgery, people need time, support, and the right tools to regain their strength and independence. One tool that has shown great value in this process is the Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA). By measuring what a person can safely do, FCAs help guide recovery plans that are both realistic and effective. Understanding how FCAs work and why they matter can make a real difference in recovery outcomes.
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2 weeks ago | 
healthcarechannel.co | Ritchelle Drilon
A revolutionary approach using artificial intelligence (AI) to scan medical records could dramatically improve how Australia identifies and counts people with dementia, potentially transforming patient care nationwide. Researchers from the National Centre for Healthy Ageing (NCHA), a partnership between Monash University and Peninsula Health, have developed an AI system that can detect dementia cases often missed by traditional hospital coding methods.
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2 weeks ago | 
healthcarechannel.co | Ritchelle Drilon
Australia has established itself as a world leader in dementia care education after the World Health Organization (WHO) officially endorsed the country’s national training framework for inclusion on its global knowledge exchange platform. The free resource, developed by Dementia Training Australia (DTA), will now be featured on WHO’s Global Dementia Observatory Knowledge Exchange (GDO KE) platform, making Australian standards accessible to healthcare workers worldwide.
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2 weeks ago | 
healthcarechannel.co | Ritchelle Drilon
In a novel twist on dementia care, Flinders University research reveals that tweaking everyday language can dramatically reshape care practices and strengthen bonds between staff, residents and families without costly structural overhauls. The study, led by occupational therapist Dr Suzanne Dawson of the Caring Futures Institute and Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, tested a “flipping language” intervention in a specialised behavioural unit.
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2 weeks ago | 
healthcarechannel.co | Ritchelle Drilon
Australia’s aged care homes are clocking more direct care minutes than ever, yet residents are not reporting better experiences. New research suggests that simply adding more staff to aged care facilities may not be enough to improve the quality of care for seniors, despite government targets being increasingly met.
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2 weeks ago | 
healthcarechannel.co | Ritchelle Drilon
Healthcare in rural and remote Australia has long faced significant challenges. Dr Olivia Fisher, Senior Lecturer at Charles Darwin University and health researcher at Wesley Research Institute, highlights a stark reality: many health leaders and clinicians have accepted a lower standard of care for rural communities, deeming it “better than nothing.” This mentality has led to preventable hospitalisations, premature deaths, and a growing life expectancy gap between rural and metropolitan areas.
