National Ageing Research Institute Ltd

15/10/2026

From the 11th to the 17th of October, the National Carers Week aims to celebrate and raise awareness of the more than 3 million Australians who provide unpaid care to a family member or friend.

The 2026 theme, “Care for a carer: Making carers visible,” shines a light on the invaluable contribution of unpaid carers and encourages all Australians to recognise, support and care for the carers in their families, workplaces and communities.

At NARI, we recognise and celebrate the invaluable contribution of carers who support older Australians every day. We are committed to advancing research that improves the lives of older people and those who care for them. Through our research, partnerships and knowledge translation activities, we work to ensure the needs and experiences of carers are recognised and reflected in policy, programs and practice.

14/10/2026

An important initiative by Silverchain Group was launched this week - Carer Voices, a digital storytelling project highlighting the experiences of family carers supporting older people living with mental health conditions.

These powerful stories shine a light on the stigma, challenges and resilience of carers, whether paid or unpaid. As we know, carers play a vital role in enabling older people to live well, maintain their independence, and access the care they need. Yet carers themselves often lack appropriate support for their unique circumstances.

One of NARI's central aims is to work with local governments, service providers and community organisations to help design services that genuinely meet the needs of carers. Through our research and consultation, we provide evidence-based advice on the features that make support programs effective, accessible and sustainable.

You can explore the Carer Voices gallery and learn more about the realities of caregiving here:

Learn how Carer Voices helps shape Silverchain's research and innovation through the experiences, insights and perspectives of carers across Australia.

14/10/2026

NARI is part of the newly launched Centre of Research Excellence in Optimising Care in the Home for Older Australians (CRE).

As more older Australians choose to remain living at home, there is a growing need for evidence-based approaches that support their health, independence and quality of life. The CRE will bring together leading researchers and partners to develop and translate practical solutions, models of care and policy recommendations that help older people live safely and independently at home for longer.

Led by Flinders University in partnership with NARI, The Registry of Senior Australians Research Centre (ROSA) and Deakin University, this five-year initiative will help address the complex health and care needs of older Australians while supporting a more sustainable health and aged care system.

NARI will contribute our research to this important collaboration and to improve outcomes for older people receiving care at home.

Learn more about the CRE and its goals: https://www.flinders.edu.au/caring-futures-institute/our-research/research-projects/optimising-care-home-older-australians

Most older Australians are choosing to live at home as they age, with support from Commonwealth-funded long-term home care, rather than entering residential aged care. For the first time Australia has a larger cohort of people being cared for in their own homes than in residential aged care. These A...

14/10/2026

NARI was delighted to support the fun sunrise skinny dip at Melbourne’s iconic Brighton Baths last Thursday. The aim of the event was to celebrate ageing and help "reshape what people think getting older genuinely looks like".

Our director Tracy Comans says, “People are living longer and, increasingly, remaining active and engaged for more of their later years. Research consistently shows that maintaining physical activity, social connection and engagement in new experiences are vital to quality of life as we age. Ageing well is not just about managing our physical health, but continuing to participate, connect and find meaning in our lives.”

So why skinny dipping? CEO of Levande, Kevin McCoy said, “This was never just about taking clothes off. It was about taking on some of the assumptions we place on ageing, and showing that getting older doesn’t mean ‘fading into the shadows’. It can mean trying something new, feeling confident in your skin and living life with freedom and confidence.”

It marked the start of Levande's Spring Open Week and Open Days for 2026. Events will continue until the end of the week so don't forget to check them out!

Pictured: Prof Briony Dow with CEO Kevin McCoy and over 50 older people getting ready to take a dip at sunrise.

08/10/2026

At NARI, our mission is to provide scientifically backed insights to improve support and systems for older people. One of our most impactful initiatives is the Senior Exercise Parks, which provide purpose-built equipment for older people to stay active in their communities.

Prof Pazit Levinger, our in-house Accredited Exercise Physiologist, and Dr Bronwyn Dreher, a registered physiotherapist, were instrumental in establishing the ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park throughout Victoria. Here are some easy recommendations that are key to get started, share with your friends and family!

06/10/2026

Exercise routines can seem overwhelming, especially for older people who would benefit the most. So, what if we approached it as low-dose "exercise snacking"?

Dr Jackson Fyfe, PhD provides fascinating and pragmatic solutions on how exercise can become more feasible, acceptable and sustainable for older people who face numerous overlapping barriers. If you're curious about the solutions, listen to the full Seminar in Ageing delivered by Dr Jackson Fyfe now: https://www.nari.net.au/Event/seminars-in-ageing-100326

05/10/2026

Last week, the 2026 NARI Summit panel discussion featured on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Radio National's Big Ideas.

If you missed it live, you can now listen to the discussion online and on the ABC Listen app! Featuring Hon Mark Dreyfus MP, Prof Jenny Waycott, Prof Andrew Philp and Prof Tim Adair as they explore the research, policy and innovation needed to support healthy ageing into the future.

🎧 Listen now:

Australia's population is getting older. In fact, by 2076, 45 per cent of us - that's 18 million people - will be aged over 65. What will ageing look like in 50 years time? Will science keep us healthier for longer? What role will older people play in the workforce, in the economy, and in our commun...

30/09/2026

🔔 Reminder: Seminar on Ageism in Australia! Exploring correlates and prevalence.

Join us tomorrow for an important discussion on how ageism affects the health, wellbeing, and daily lives of older Australians.

Professor Tim Windsor will share findings from recent research conducted through the Flinders University Generations Research Initiative, including evidence on the prevalence of ageism, its relationship with health outcomes, and the impacts of everyday age-related discrimination.

The seminar will also explore the concept of "positive ageism" and what these findings mean for policy, practice, and supporting positive ageing experiences in Australia. We hope you can join us.

📅 Tomorrow, Tuesday 13 October
⏰ 11:50 am - 1:00 pm AEDT
🔗

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

30/09/2026

New seminar on Ageism in Australia! Join us on Tuesday 13 October for the next Seminar in Ageing, featuring Professor Tim Windsor from the Flinders University Generations Research Initiative.

Age discrimination is increasingly recognised as a major public health issue, linked to poorer physical and mental health, cognitive decline, and reduced longevity. Yet relatively little is known about how ageism affects older Australians.

In this seminar, Professor Windsor will present findings from recent Australian research examining:
- The prevalence of ageism among older Australians
- Associations between perceived age discrimination and health outcomes
- The impacts of everyday experiences of ageism on wellbeing
- The concept of "positive ageism" and its implications
- Drawing on data collected through the 45 and Up Study, this presentation will provide valuable insights for researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and anyone interested in healthy ageing and age-inclusive societies.

📅 Tuesday 13 October 2026
⏰ 11:50 am - 1:00 pm AEDT
🔗 fd89bb00-0ecb-41e4-8a04-d68f95302fdf@448f0359-06e0-4e57-a975-872fad3320c9" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/fd89bb00-0ecb-41e4-8a04-d68f95302fdf@448f0359-06e0-4e57-a975-872fad3320c9

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

30/09/2026

We're excited to share that the panel discussion from the 2026 NARI Summit will be featured TONIGHT at 8pm on ABC Radio National's Big Ideas.

The episode asks an important question: What will ageing look like in 2076? Australia's population is getting older. By 2076, 45 per cent of us - that's 18 million people - will be aged over 65.

What will ageing look like in 50 years' time? Will science keep us healthier for longer? What role will older people play in the workforce, in the economy, and in our communities? Will robots wipe our bottoms, or keep us company? How will we respond to major health challenges — like dementia, already our leading cause of death — and the growing burden of chronic disease?

Featuring the Hon Mark Dreyfus MP, Prof Jenny Waycott, Prof Andrew Philp and Prof Tim Adair, this conversation explores the ethical and social challenges facing our ageing country, and the planning, research and policy systems needed to ensure a dignified, safe and healthy life for older people by 2076.

📻 Airs tonight at 8pm 🔁 Repeat tomorrow at 12pm 🎧 Available online and on the ABC Listen app from 5pm
Listen here:

Australia's population is getting older. In fact, by 2076, 45 per cent of us - that's 18 million people - will be aged over 65. What will ageing look like in 50 years time? Will science keep us healthier for longer? What role will older people play in the workforce, in the economy, and in our commun...