WELCOME
What is the Healthy Ageing Community Alliance - HACA
The Healthy Ageing Community Alliance or HACA, is a community alliance project that brings scientists and community members together to shape current and future research projects, health initiatives and health programs to benefit our local community.
In this short video Dr Dana Dermody from the University of the Sunshine Coast talks to us about the unique and innovative community project HACA, what is it, how it can help us and how we can all get involved.
OUR COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
Healthy Ageing News
Science for the community reviewed and edited by the community. Sign up to get the latest research findings and updates in our monthly newsletter. We invite UniSC healthy ageing scientists to translate and disseminate their findings for a panel of community reviewers. The reviewers then decide whether to publish! Learn about the latest research into healthy ageing and age related diseases, projects and initiatives along the coast all in a language that is accessible and engaging.
To sign up for the latest articles hot off the press delivered straight to your inbox email us at
HACAinfo@usc.edu.au
What's on at HACA
Catch up on the latest research and community projects
How to age healthily
Read about a lived experience project that unpicks positive behaviours of local community members to understand healthy ageing..
Parkinson's research
HACA researchers are testing a novel training device to improve balance and mobility in people with Parkinson's. To find out more or participate click the link above.
Ideas exchange
Join us to exchange questions, comments, suggestions and ideas to help us create community research and projects for you, together.
Community Science Club
Join us for morning tea and science! Learn about the latest research direct from the researchers at UniSC and help review articles for the community newsletter!
Events
Beach access project
Follow along with UniSC students as they start a new project inspired by the Science club's review of our latest research.
Seniors' month quiz
Pomona Community House will be hosting a quiz where you can quiz our researchers on their latest findings.
Newsletter review
Join us for our next newsletter review, an article on experience with Smart homes.
OT Honours Conference
Get an inside look at the future of Occupational Therapy at this free event.
The Death Cafe
Join Dr John Rosenberg to have good conversations about death and dying at the monthly Death Cafe.
The Core Concept Corner: Smart homes
This month's core concept video has Dr Dana Dermody explain SMART homes and how they can help us stay living independently.
Q&A
Put your questions and comments to our HACA research team
“Do you have a burning question about healthy ageing research or comments and suggestions for the HACA team. Leave your questions and comments for the HACA researchers to answer.”
Dr Kathryn Broadhouse
Science communicator for HACA
“The trouble with research is we rarely get to engage with the very people we are trying to help. HACA allows a two-way conversation between us and you and we would love to hear from you.”
Prof Chris Askew
Clinical Exercise Physiology
Meet Our Team
Meet the HACA researchers, scientists and IT specialists who are working to improve our healthy ageing journey.
Dr Gordana Dermody
Senior Lecturer: Nursing
Dana's passion combines ageing studies and technology to improve health, well-being and independence of older individuals
Dr Kristen Tulloch
Lecturer: Psychology
Kristen works with older individuals to improve wellbeing, life satisfaction and achievements in pursuits meaningful to them
Prof Chris Askew
Clinical Exercise Physiology
Chris is interested in the cause and treatment of exercise intolerance in older individuals with chronic disease
Dr Andy Ward
Lecturer: Contemporary Music
Andy is a songwriter, producer, and researcher who focuses on creative practice music, health, and wellbeing
Dr Michele Verdonck
Senior Lecturer: Occupational Therapy
Michele works to improve beach access for everyone. Her research marries her two passions, assistive technology and the beach
Dr Dan Wadsworth
Lecturer: Applied Science
Dan's research focus is healthy ageing and wellbeing. Dan works to promote accessible physical activity for older adults
A/Prof Nigel Barr
Paramedicine
Nigel is a researcher with a diverse background spanning paramedicine, nursing, and education.
Dr Mia Schaumberg
Senior Lecturer: Psychology
Mia’s passion is exercise physiology and healthy ageing, particularly in relation to cognition, bone health and falls risk.
A/Prof Fraser Russell
Biochemical Pharmacology
Fraser is a keen apiarist. His research focus is cardiovascular pharmacology and works to discover the anti-inflammatory activity of Australian Honeys
Dr Sarah Davies
Lecturer: Occupational Therapy
Sarah works to improve occupational performance, functioning and self-efficacy of adults with Parkinson’s Disease
Dr Hattie Wright
Senior Lecturer: Nutrition and Dietetics
Hattie researches the role of diet in disease management for improved health outcomes
Dr John Rosenberg
Senior Lecturer: Nursing
John is a registered nurse with a background in community-based palliative care, who teaches grief, nursing practice, and chronic disease management
Peter Embleton
Coordinator, Specialist Technologies
Pete works at UniSC providing tech solutions to all the researchers' weird and wacky requests
A/Prof Rania Shibl
Associate Dean Learning and Teaching
Rania loves all things big data. She is a passionate teacher and has a diverse area of research but with a focus on technology adoption and acceptance
Dr Kathryn Broadhouse
Physicist and Science communicator
Kathryn is a science communicator with a background in medical imaging and neuroscience
