Sport, Health & Wellbeing
UC strengthening ties with world-leading researchers
The University of Canberra is strengthening its ties with researchers from all over the world, with the latest visitor under the University’s Distinguished International Visitor program bringing a wealth of knowledge in relation to ageing populations.
Professor Synneve Dahlin-Ivanoff, an Occupational Therapist and researcher from the University of Gothenburg (GU) in Sweden, recently visited UC with fellow GU researcher Dr Qarin Lood.
Professor Dahlin-Ivanoff is the Group Leader of the Frail Elderly Support Research Group (FRESH) which is part of the Centre for Ageing and Health, known as Agecap. Her research looks at the concept of frailty in relation to older people’s capability and the impact that various interventions have on the potential to age well at home.
“We focus on frail older people as they are often the group that people don’t research,” said Professor Dahlin-Ivanoff.
“We want to give this age group a voice.”
Professor Dahlin-Ivanoff’s research has revolutionised healthcare for older people in Sweden and caught the attention of those in the Faculty of Health at UC, who invited Professor Dahlin-Ivanoff to UC to share her learnings and also showcase some of UC’s research.
“This has been a really great opportunity for us to collaborate with a world leader in frail aged research,” said Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, Dr Stephen Isbel.
While here, Professor Dahlin-Ivanoff and Dr Lood conducted a workshop for occupational therapy students, and a professorial lecture for the UC community, among other research-related activities, including a visit to a local aged-care facility.
Professor Dahlin-Ivanoff said she learnt a lot from UC’s work and is planning on taking some of what she’s seen here back to Sweden, especially music engagement therapy, where occupational therapists visit local nursing homes and sing with the residents.
“It is so important for older people to do these activities to feel self-confident and valued,” said Professor Dahlin-Ivanoff.
The frail group most often feel as though they have no life left. It’s about quality of life.
Professor Dahlin-Ivanoff’s research is now moving towards working with those in residential care in Sweden, and she said there are a lot of great ideas happening at UC.
“UC is doing research around how virtual reality can be used in aged care facilities,” said Dr Isbel.
“Residents can use virtual reality to ride a bike around places like Lake Burley Griffin and Mount Stromlo.”
Dr Isbel said there are a lot of research areas they could potentially work on with the University of Gothenburg to build an ongoing relationship.
“At UC, we’re really interested in how older people are socially connecting with their environment, particularly in aged care facilities or retirement villages,” said Dr Isbel.
“We’re very interested to see how that social connectedness develops and is maintained, and I believe that is one potential area of collaboration.”
Dr Isbel said the main goal of the visit was to have an eminent Occupational Therapist visit and share their experience, to develop potential research collaboration, and to know what is happening in the world of aged care and aged care research.
“We have done all of that,” said Dr Isbel. “We have some really great ideas and developed some research collaborations to go ahead over the next five years.”
The next step is to find support, with both parties now working to secure funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council, one of the top research grants available in Australia.
“I have loved visiting Australia and seeing the work done at UC,” said Professor Dahlin-Ivanoff.
“I look forward to what we might be able to achieve and will be back soon.”
Words by Katarina Slavich, photos by Madeleine Wood