UARC's vision is to enable socially, economically and environmentally sustainable aged care and support for older people in Australia.
To enable an aged-care sector that is sustainable in terms of its fiscal, financial, workforce and social dimensions, we must first find solutions to the complex problems that characterise the sector.
We conceptualise aged care as a healthcare and social support system that delivers subsidised and regulated services to senior citizens in need. These services need to support the quality of life as well as the quality of care.
Translational and transdisciplinary research
UARC focuses on translating the activity and results of research into practice. It is often referred to as ‘bench to bedside’ and forms the basis of ‘evidence-informed practice’.
Combines and synthesises theories, concepts and methods from different disciplines to form a new approach for research. It reflects the following characteristics.
PROBLEM FOCUS
Explicitly oriented to solving complex and wicked problems.
INTEGRATION
Disciplines, frameworks, theories, methods and findings are integrated into a whole that is more than the sum of the parts. It transcends and integrates human as well as natural systems.
COLLABORATION
The integration of researchers from multiple disciplines, as well as practitioners, industry, government and users.
CO-PRODUCTION
Knowledge is co-produced between the collaborating stakeholders from problem formation to solution and implementation.
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE
The focus of research is to produce knowledge that is oriented toward social justice.
UARC works collaboratively with academics, and professional, industry and policy experts to undertake translational research that tackles the complex problems in aged care.