USQ to focus on Ageing and Aged Care

A one-day symposium at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) this week will showcase the latest in research, innovation and emerging technologies to support productive ageing, independent living, home and community care.

The Collaboration for Ageing and Aged-care Informatics Research (CAAIR) Symposium on Thursday 20 July 2006, has attracted experts from around the country.

Director of CAAIR, Associate Professor Jeffrey Soar, said the extensive program will focus on the future of aged care.

'Some of the topics that will be discussed include management challenges in Darling Downs aged care, transforming ageing and aged care through technology and using video links for clinical training.

'The Symposium will also look at measuring sleep quality with wireless technology and reducing avoidable hospital admissions for the elderly.'

Associate Professor Soar said the inaugural conference has attracted an impressive group of keynote speakers, who are experts in their field.

'We are really thrilled that so many prominent Aged Care professionals accepted an invitation to present their cutting-edge research at the Symposium.

'We are particularly pleased to welcome USQ Graduate, Dr George Margelis, from Intel back to the University to deliver the keynote address.'

Keynote presenters include:
Dr George Margelis, Industry Development Manager, Intel Australia
Prof Len Gray, Head, Academic Unit in Geriatric Medicine, University of Queensland
Mr Brian Kissell, Chief Technology Officer, USQ
Prof Steve Garlick, Director - Regional Knowledge Works Advisor, OECD-Higher Education & Regional Development
Dr Christine Neville, Senior Lecturer/Clinical School Coordinator, Dept of Nursing & Midwifery, USQ
Prof Peter Croll, CSIRO e-Health Fellow/QUT Prof of Software Engineering
Assoc Prof Jeffrey Soar, Director of CAAIR

Presentation topics include:
• Management challenges in Toowoomba and Darling Downs aged care
• Transforming ageing and aged care through technology
• Aged Care research in regional areas
• Managing identities in a digital world, a vision for the future
• Wireless technology for measuring sleep quality
• Video links for clinical training
• Reducing avoidable hospital admissions of the elderly
• Predicting mature consumers' attitude and behavior
• Technology for managing diabetes
• Pervasive technology for home care – sensors, RFID and robots

Media Contact: Amy Cass, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2092 or +61 412 097 326