NARI, SA aged-care provider ACH Group partner for better care

The National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) has signed an agreement with South Australian aged-care provider ACH Group to improve the health and wellbeing of older people.

The partnership aims to strengthen the capacity of both organisations to jointly pursue research goals, provide expert leadership, and promote aging and aged-care excellence.

NARI Acting Director, Associate Professor Frances Batchelor said, “By working closely with an aged-care organisation like ACH Group, NARI will be able to embed our research into everyday practice. In this way, evidence-based interventions can be rolled out directly into care homes and services, and we can make positive change.”

“Building relationships with industry bodies allows for vital progress to be made, with the input and consideration of those at the heart of our work — older people and their carers. This new agreement will help us continue with our strategic approach to knowledge transfer, education, training and upskilling of health professionals.”

With both NARI and ACH Group focused on a consumer-led approach, the partnership will provide opportunities for new research, funding, and workforce capacity building, benefiting both parties and — most importantly — the older people they support.

“ACH Group has recently developed a research and development strategy and our new alliance with NARI will enhance our strong commitment to being evidence-based and data-informed,” said the CEO of ACH Group, Frank Weits.

The group is passionate about re-imaging aged care, including developing new models, technology and innovations to meet the changing needs of customers, Weits said.

“This collaboration will support ACH Group to make practical changes that will have a lasting positive impact on residents, home-care customers, and carers.”

NARI says this agreement will help drive much-needed improvements in aged-care services, combining NARI’s research base and expertise with ACH Group’s practical settings, to evolve and transform the delivery of services to and for older people.

“Through our connection with ACH Group, NARI will be able to work closely with older people, their families and their carers to understand what is important to them, and what actually works. We’re looking forward to creating long-lasting change for older people,” Associate Professor Batchelor said.