National Ageing Research Institute Ltd

29/04/2026

NARI was, as always, pleased to be invited to be part of the recent Informa National Dementia Conference, with A/Prof Anita Goh, Dr Ellen Gaffy and Cathy Roth OAM from our Community Advisory Panel attending.

Anita, Ellen, and Cathy had the opportunity to chair the conference, moderate and participate in panel discussions, and present their work, and importantly - to connect with colleagues working across research, aged care, and health services. These conversations are critical in strengthening collaboration and ensuring that NARI’s work continues to align with national priorities and real‑world practice.

Participation in forums such as the Informa National Dementia Conference supports NARI’s ongoing commitment to evidence‑based research, knowledge translation, and partnership across the ageing and dementia sectors.

We look forward to applying insights from the conference to our current and future work – and to the 18th National Dementia Conference in 2027.

28/04/2026

💪 Muscle health matters as we age — but sarcopenia is often overlooked.

Join NARI’s next Seminars in Ageing webinar with Dr Ben Kirk:
🧠 Sarcopenia: Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Treatment

🗓️ Tuesday, 12 May 2026
⏰ 12:00–1:00pm AEST

Sarcopenia is a progressive muscle disorder linked to ageing and contributes to falls, frailty, and loss of independence in older adults. In this session, Dr Kirk will provide a clear and practical overview of:

✅ Why sarcopenia matters
✅ How it is diagnosed
✅ What the evidence says about treatment

Dr Kirk is a leading researcher in muscle ageing and led the world’s first global consensus definition of sarcopenia, helping shape international recognition of the condition.

👩‍⚕️👨‍🔬 Ideal for clinicians, researchers, students, and aged care professionals — or anyone interested in healthy ageing.

👉 Register here:
98ebda8e-fa0e-4030-af2f-471ec80cbcfe@448f0359-06e0-4e57-a975-872fad3320c9" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/98ebda8e-fa0e-4030-af2f-471ec80cbcfe@448f0359-06e0-4e57-a975-872fad3320c9

(Fair warning: you may start casually dropping the word “sarcopenia” into conversations afterwards.)

26/04/2026

Looking back on 50 years of impact: On this day, the Treasurer’s office congratulated the appointment of Dr. Derek Prinsley, a pioneer geriatrician, as NARI's first ever chair.

This correspondence, preserved in our archives, captures a pivotal point at which government recognition and visionary medical leadership aligned - shaping the Institute that would go on to transform ageing research in Australia for half a century since -and counting!

23/04/2026

Our Director, Prof Tracy Comans, analyses the equity and sustainability of the new changes to the Support at Home program in an article for The Conversation Australia + NZ.

Older people receiving at home care will no longer have to pay out-of-pocket for showering, dressing and continence care. This is welcome news for advocates and consumers, but what needs to be done so excessive costs are not shifted onto future generations?

Read the article for the full analysis by Prof Tracy Comans: https://theconversation.com/a-free-shower-is-the-least-older-people-can-expect-but-aged-care-funding-misses-one-key-point-281228

No older person wants to pay to have a shower at home. But one key issue is how Australia pays for aged care without shifting the cost to future generations.

21/04/2026

NARI'S ANNUAL SUMMIT IS COMING 🥂
To reflect on NARI's 50 years of impact, radio broadcaster and author of A Wisdom of Age, Jacinta Parsons is hosting our annual summit. Listen to fresh perspectives from emerging researchers and keynotes from experts including Professor Len Gray from the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, The The University of Queensland and Professor Andy Philp, Centre for Healthy Ageing, Centenary Institute. The day will examine how ageing research has evolved—and where it’s headed.

REGISTER NOW: https://lnkd.in/gKQKJ85u
📅 - Wednesday 22nd of July
🏛️ - Australian Unity, 271 Spring St, Melbourne
🕠 - 9:30am - 4:00pm

14/04/2026

TIME TO CELEBRATE WITH NARI 🥂
This year the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) is celebrating its 50th year of impact as Australia's only independent medical research institution focused on ageing. Please join us and celebrate 50 years of impact at our cocktail event, which includes special guest- Senior Australian of the Year Prof Henry Brodaty

This milestone offers a moment to reflect on our legacy, acknowledge the partners who have supported our mission, and look forward to the continued advancement of ageing research.

REGISTER NOW: https://lnkd.in/gf6cDzKc
📅 - 21st of July
🏛️ - The Old Quad, Building 150, University of Melbourne, Parkville Campus
🕠 - 5:30pm - 8:30pm

09/04/2026

Looking back on 50 years of impact: On this day, the Premier of Victoria's office congratulated the appointment of Dr. Derek Prinsley, a pioneer geriatrician, as NARI's first ever chair. This document stands as an early testament to NARI’s recognised role in shaping ageing research in Victoria and across Australia and overseas.

08/04/2026

Can exercise help reduce anxiety in older adults?

Join us for this month’s Seminars in Ageing as Terence Chong (University of Melbourne and St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne) presents:

Exercising your worries away – an update

This seminar will explore the relationship between exercise, physical activity, and anxiety in later life, including what current evidence tells us about supporting mental health and wellbeing in older adults.

📅 Tuesday, 14 April
🕛 12.00–1.00pm AEST

Register here:
52014be2-ddbc-4fa3-b646-8d0e95bb604b@448f0359-06e0-4e57-a975-872fad3320c9" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/52014be2-ddbc-4fa3-b646-8d0e95bb604b@448f0359-06e0-4e57-a975-872fad3320c9

07/04/2026

Looking back on 50 years of impact: Meet the Director
From 1987-2000, Professor Robert Helme was NARI's Director. The Institute was set up for gerontological research and geriatric medicine. During his tenure he championed some of the early work and trials on drug therapies to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

06/04/2026

Across the country, research institutes like the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) are tackling Australia’s most pressing health challenges including dementia care, cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative conditions and infectious diseases.

By investing in Australia medical research institutes, we're investing in a highly-skilled workforce across science, engineering and biotechnology capable of finding solutions to devastating medical challenges.

Medical research institutes are a critical part of Australia's medical ecosystem with some of the highest return on investment. A new independent report, released by the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI), shows half of Australia’s medical research institutes will be financially insolvent within a decade without urgent reform.

It's critical we continue to invest in medical research. Read more: www.aamri.org.au/2026-ROI-Report

01/04/2026

Medical research institutes including the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) work closely with hospitals to translate research into real-world care, giving patients access to the latest treatments and therapies.

A new independent report, released today by the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI), shows clinical trials deliver $5.80 for every $1 invested, alongside significant health and economic benefits.

Sustaining this pipeline requires funding that reflects the true cost of research. Read more: www.aamri.org.au/2026-ROI-Report

30/03/2026

Australia’s medical research institutes (MRIs) — including the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) — are delivering some of the highest returns on investment for the economy and the health system.

Today, a new independent report, released by the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI), shows:

🪙 $3.90 returned for every $1 invested
📈 $4.07 billion in annual economic benefit
🧬 $5.80 returned for every $1 invested in clinical trials

Medical research institutes play a central role in Australia’s health system and research pipeline, supporting clinical trials, translation, commercialisation and highly skilled jobs.

The challenge is that the current funding model does not cover the full cost of research, placing long-term sustainability at risk. Read more: www.aamri.org.au/2026-ROI-Report