The University of Canberra’s Centre for Ageing Research and Translation (CARAT)
CARAT brings together researchers who share a commitment to improving health, wellbeing, and quality of life as people age. Our work is grounded in the belief that ageing well means living well throughout life and having the support to live well.
Core Areas of Activity
CARAT’s work focuses on three interconnected areas:
Dementia and Cognition
Advancing knowledge of dementia prevention, and evidence-based care and support for people living with dementia and cognitive impairment.
Innovative Care Models
Designing and evaluating new approaches to improve quality of care and quality of life for older people using aged care services.
Workforce
Supporting, strengthening, and empowering the health, disability and aged care workforce to provide skilled care to older people and those living with lifelong disability.
Research Approach
Through multidisciplinary health and social sciences research, CARAT addresses real-world challenges faced by older people, their families, and care providers. Our current and recent projects span:
- Community-based and residential aged care
- Health service design and system integration
- Dementia care access, pathways, rehabilitation, and support
- Health, aged care and disability workforce capability and sustainability
- Assistive, digital, and smart-sensing technologies
- Risk and protective factors for cognitive and physical health in older age
Purpose
CARAT strengthens the evidence behind practices, programs, and policies shaping the lives of older people. Whether they live independently, with family, or in residential aged care, our goal is to ensure all older Australians have access to environments, care, and systems that allow them to thrive.
Support Our Work
Your contribution directly supports our research and the people who make it possible. Donations are channelled into:
- Research projects that develop and test innovative models of residential aged care services
- Work that identifies gaps and systemic problems in the aged, health and disability care systems, and proposes practical, evidence‑based strategies to address them
- Staffing and research capacity, who carry out this work and translate findings into real‑world improvements
Every donation strengthens our ability to build better care, stronger systems, and healthier ageing for generations to come.
UC acknowledges the Ngunnawal people, traditional custodians of the lands where Bruce campus is situated. We wish to acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of Canberra and the region. We also acknowledge all other First Nations Peoples on whose lands we gather.