Thursday Three - 30 11 2023

• AAG and SECG AGMs

• Grant opportunities

• UN Decade of Healthy Ageing progress report

AAG and SECG AGMs

Both AAG's 2023 annual general meeting (AGM) and that of AAG's Student and Early Career Group (SECG) took place during the 56th AAG Conference on the Gold Coast. While the minutes are still being finalised, we are pleased to confirm that current Board member Anita Westera is the new AAG Vice-President. AAG President Dr Claudia Meyer also welcomed South Australian Division Chair Lui Di Venuto to the Board. These two changes are due to the departure of Dr Victoria Cornell.

At the SECG AGM, President Dr Mikaela Wheeler gave special thanks to outgoing executives, Dr Joanne Tropea and Dr Lisa Kouladjian O'Donnell, who have led the SECG's conference and communication and awards groups for several years. New executive members Dr Danielle Cave and Dr Tricia King were welcomed to these roles.

At both AGMs, the Presidents acknowledged the significant contribution of all committee members and representatives, who are integral to the success of AAG.
 
We encourage our members to get involved in your State or Territory Division and be part of the team effort to plan, host and enjoy events, social gatherings, networking and award opportunities.

Grant opportunities

As the end of 2023 races towards us, there are several grant opportunities that may be of interest to you.

AAG/ARIIA Innovator Training Program

AAG is partnering with Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) to deliver the Innovator Training Program (ITP) to AAG Student and Early Career (SECG) members. Participation is open to 10 current SECG members, on application. The program is free for participants and involves around 21 hours in total, over six weeks. AAG and ARIIA will select and confirm participants in early January 2024, with the program due to start in March 2024. Information and a link to the application form are on the AAG website. Applications close today!

AAG Helen Barrie National Prize

The AAG SECG Helen Barrie National Prize provides an opportunity for eligible AAG student and early career members to be recognised for their outstanding research contributions to ageing research and practice. Now in its third year, three prizes will be awarded, with a total value of $1750.00. This year, a special prize for excellence in research on creative arts for health and wellbeing in ageing is also being offered, alongside the general prize for excellence in ageing research outcomes. Applications are now open and close on 4 December 2023.

Frailty-ADD CRE Seed Grant Scheme

The Frailty-ADD CRE, via the Australian Frailty Network, is offering two seed grants of up to AUD$10,000 for research projects to build the capacity of early career researchers/academics, health practitioners, and allied health professionals.

This scheme is funded by an NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence: Improving Hospital Outcomes for Frail Patients Across Different Disciplines (Frailty-ADD CRE: APP2015821). The grants will support research programs that aim to improve outcomes for frail patients in hospital settings.

Information about the scheme, including eligibility requirements and submission instructions, is available on the AFN website.

UN Decade of Healthy Ageing progress report

Last week saw the release of the first UN Decade of Healthy Ageing progress report.

This report charts the extent of progress made in the first phase of implementation of the Decade of Healthy Ageing, from 2021 to mid-2023. It includes results from a survey of 136 countries, which shows a 20% increase in the number of countries reporting legislation against ageism; national policies on comprehensive assessments of health and social care needs of ageing populations; and national programs for age-friendly cities and communities. Australia's Aged Care Council of Elders gets a mention on page 14.

That said, less than a third of countries have the resources they need to deliver on the UN Decade's four areas of action:

• Changing how people think, feel and act about age and ageing;
• Ensuring communities foster the abilities of older people;
• Delivering person-centred, integrated care and primary health services responsive to older people; and
• Providing access to long-term care for older people in need.

Our work continues!

A final thanks to our sponsors & supporters at the recent
56th AAG Conference on the Gold Coast

We couldn't have done it without you!