University of Adelaide researchers are preparing for the third phase of an Australian-first study where residents from the City of Charles Sturt will test an online behaviour change tool designed to help prevent frailty in older people.
The AVOID Frailty web intervention was initially developed in Canada, and is being trialled in Adelaide thanks to a $250,000 grant from The Hospital Research Foundation Group.
Earlier phases of the University of Adelaide project focused on how to adapt it to a local context.
“Frailty is a vulnerability to health stressors and is associated with hospitalisation and loss of independence, but it can be avoided,” said Professor Renuka Visvanathan (right), a Professor of Geriatric Medicine at the University’s Geriatrics Training and Research with Aged Care Centre and Head of Unit of Geriatric Medicine at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
“It is very exciting to be testing this technology-enabled intervention for the first time outside of Canada.”
The AVOID Frailty web intervention is based on the idea that physical Activity, Vaccination, Optimised medications, social Interaction and a healthy Diet (AVOID) can meaningfully contribute to the prevention of frailty and better health in older age.
“Through the AVOID Frailty intervention, people will have access to education resources and a library of community resources for six months. They will be better empowered to act, make a change, adopt healthy lifestyle behaviours and monitor for improvement to their health,” Professor Visvanathan said.
“We are looking to recruit 60 new participants who are not frail to help us investigate if the intervention improves their health scores.
“As this study involves the use of a web portal, participants must have regular access to, and be able to use, the computer.
“Participants will be randomised either to usual care or have access to the intervention for six months; all participants will need to be willing to complete surveys at the start, middle and end of the trial”.
Interested in participating?
People interested in participating in the AVOID frailty study need to meet the following criteria:
- Residents of the City of Charles Sturt
- Aged 60 years and over
- Living in the community (independent living unit included) and not a nursing home
- Have access to the internet and a computer or assistance from someone who does
- Haven’t previously participated in a Citizen Scientist project related to this program of research
- Willing to complete health surveys at the start (telephone and face-to-face), at 3 months and at 6 months (with telephone support available from research staff).
Participants also receive a $50 gift card as a token of appreciation for your voluntary involvement.
Download a flyer here and register your interest by contacting research fellow Dr Joanne Dollard on 8222 7349 or email [email protected]
This project is a collaboration between the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, City of Charles Sturt, Adelaide Primary Health Network and Canadian Frailty Network, with funding from The Hospital Research Foundation Group.
