If you live in Victoria, are over 18, and have supported an adult facing cancer within in the last 2 years, we would love to hear from you!

The Cancer Carer Hub at Deakin University is researching an online mindfulness program (Carer_MindOnLine) to help reduce stress and manage thoughts and feelings.

Study details

Program: A 9-week mindfulness course with short videos and activities.

Participation: Eligible participants will complete a short survey and be assigned to either the immediate access group or a waitlist group (program access after 9 weeks). Both groups will complete a short survey afterwards.

For more information and to access the program click here.

You can also contact the Research Team at carermindonline@deakin.edu.au   

The study has been approved by Deakin University's Research Ethics committee (2023-358). 

We are a team of dancers, psychologists, and researchers committed to making dance more inclusive and accessible for Autistic children.

Monash and Deakin Universities are running a research program to explore how dance can benefit Autistic children and their families.

Families in Victoria, Australia with children who:

• Are 7-12 years old
• Have a formal Autism diagnosis (without intellectual disability)
• Are not currently enrolled in another dance program

Dance for 9 weeks! Your child will join fun and inclusive weekly dance class. The classes will have a contemporary
dance focus and be led by dance and disability specialists at Deakin University Dance Studios in Burwood.

👉 Your child will attend 2 face-to-face sessions to complete thinking and movement tasks.
👉 You will complete 3 online surveys about your child’s abilities and experience

Register your interest here.

A new research study developed by and for members of LGBTQI+ communities aims to improve support for gender and sexuality diverse people living with dementia.

The study is searching for research participants who:

• Are gender and sexuality diverse and living with dementia
• Are living in a private dwelling or in residential aged care throughout Australia

All participants do not need to use speech to communicate to be involved, as researchers will use creative approaches to support their involvement.

During the study, researchers will visit each participant four times and participants will engage in their normal daily activities. Participants will receive a $50 voucher per visit. With their consent, the researchers would also like to talk to people who know the person living with dementia.

If you would like to participate or if you know someone who may be suitable, please contact Dr Louisa Smith on 03 9246 8364 or email louisa.smith@deakin.edu.au.

A growing population of older Australians are providing care for their partners, parents, adult children, relatives and friends. Caring often involves sacrifice and emotional strain, but there is currently a lack of targeted and accessible psychological support catered to this population.

Our researchers are interested in understanding:

• challenges in caring for someone when you are older yourself,
• how psychological programs can support you, and
• reasons for using these programs.

We invite carers aged 65+ years (or 50+ years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) who live in the community in Australia (not residential care) to register your interest for this study.

The assessment for eligibility includes a brief cognitive assessment using the abbreviated Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Mini-MoCA). If deemed eligible, you will be invited to an individual interview with one of our researchers. The interview should take approximately 60 minutes to complete. Upon completing the interview, you will receive a $40 gift card as a token of thanks for your involvement in the study.

Please register your interest via the following link: https://tinyurl.com/carersinterest

For more information, download the research flyer here.

About the study

Researchers from UNSW Sydney, the University of Melbourne and Deakin University, in partnership with Carers Vic, are conducting a major three-year research study to improve understanding of transitions and pathways out of caring.

If you have had thoughts about how your caring may end in the future or are currently experiencing a transition out of your caring role*, the researchers would like to hear from you.

Participation involves an in-depth interview with one of the research team members, either in person or via online video platform. Participants will receive a $30 gift card for their time.

If you are interested, please contact the research team for further information: Professor Emma Kirby (emma.kirby@unsw.edu.au; 02 9385 9065); Zhaoxi Zheng (zhaoxi.zheng@unsw.edu.au; 02 9348 2625)

*Recruitment of former carers will commence later in 2025. 

Participate in a survey about resources to support family/carers, and older adults to prepare for life at home after hospital discharge 

Greek/Italian/Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin speaking) Australian family/unpaid carers and older adults 

Monash University is seeking family/unpaid carers of older adults and older adults living in the community who identify as Greek/Italian/Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin speaking) Australian to review One patient/carer resource of their choice and then participate in a survey. The survey aims to get feedback that the researchers can use to improve the resource. Eligible people are Greek/Italian/Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin speaking) Australians: 

• Family and unpaid carers in the community 

• Aged 18 years or more 

• Supporting an older adult living at home with chronic health difficulties 

• With experience supporting (within the last 2 years) an older adult during discharge from hospital to home for a physical health problem  

• Older adults 

• Aged 60 years or more 

• Have experience (within the last 2 years) of discharge from hospital to home following admission for a physical health problem 

Click on the link below to access the resource and survey. This one link provides access for all languages – English, Greek, Italian, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified)

https://monash.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6fgdJgdCowI0ha6  

• Printed versions of booklets and surveys with reply paid envelopes are available, please contact Yaping Zhong on 0405 396 468 or by email yaping.zhong1@monash.edu 

For more information and questions about participating, please contact Yaping Zhong on 0405 396 468 or by email yaping.zhong1@monash.edu

Researchers at NARI and Austin Health are currently undertaking a research project called the “3C Program”. The program aims to improve health outcomes for individuals accessing respite care. The 3C team are seeking participants for this research project, who are: older adults entering respite care at a Melbourne based residential aged care facility and the day-to-day carers of these people. Carers and respite recipients would participate in the program as a pair.  

The program involves a 1-2 hour visit at your home or at another location that is private and safe (like an aged care home). This visit will occur before you enter respite care or as close as possible to the beginning of your respite stay. A registered nurse would carry out this visit and undertake the following with the two of you (respite recipient and carer):

• A comprehensive health assessment involving a clinical examination and medical assessment tools.

• Development of a health summary document using the data from the health assessment.

• Filming of some videos that demonstrate you going about your day-to-day life. We will ask your permission to record you on camera carrying out some tasks.

The 3C Program team will then pass on this information and content to respite care staff at the aged care facility you will be admitted too. It is hoped that this information and content will help staff provide better quality respite care to participants. Later, after your respite stay, the 3C team may also ask you to help them evaluate your experience of respite care and the 3C Program. They may also conduct some follow up assessments to see how you are going following your respite stay.

If you are interested in helping out and would like more information, please contact NARI Research Assistant Liam Borelli-Millott at L.Borelli-Millott@nari.edu.au, or call him on 0487937265 (Available: 9am-5pm, Mon-Wed). You may also contact the project manager, Dr. Christa Dang at C.Dang@nari.edu.au.

Your participation would be greatly appreciated by the 3C team.

There’s no remuneration and recruitment period is 12 months.

There are significant changes coming to how home care is offered and delivered in Australia from the 1st of July this year. The Catalyst Report is seeking input from those already using home care and their family members. Also, those who will consider this service in the future for themselves or a family member. 
 
The survey takes 10-15 minutes. Most questions are optional and can be skipped. There are no right or wrong answers and your feedback will remain confidential. 
 
Respondents providing useful insights will be selected to receive one of twenty $150 gift cards as a thank you for participating. 
 
We really appreciate your thoughts and they will help home care providers do a better job now and in the future. 

Click here to take the survey.