Professor G A (Tony) Broe AM
TEAM LEADER PROFILE
Senior Principal Research Fellow, NeuRA
Conjoint Professor of Geriatric Medicine, UNSW
+612 9399 1054
Professor Tony Broe graduated in social science (Anthropology, Geography) and Medicine from the University of Sydney. He trained in General Medicine, Geriatric Medicine and Neurology in Sydney, Glasgow and the Mayo Clinic (1966 to 1973). He was head of the University Clinical School and the Department of Neurosciences at Lidcombe Hospital (1975 to 1985); Prof of Geriatric Medicine at Concord Hospital and University of Sydney (1985 to 1999) and University of NSW (1999-2016). He has published some 200 papers, 20 Book Chapters and 4 Books on neuroepidemiology, neurodegenerative disorders and Aboriginal health & ageing. He has set up Health Services in Neurosciences, Aged Care, Community Health & Aboriginal Health. Tony is currently SPRF at Neuroscience Research Australia (2000 to 2016).
Projects Professor G A (Tony) Broe AM is currently involved with
CURRENT PROJECTS
Koori Dementia Care Project
The Koori Dementia Care Project (KDCP) aims to inform, educate and build capacity in urban and regional NSW Aboriginal communities, and with associated service providers, about the effects of dementia on older Aboriginal people and their families.READ MORE
Koori Dementia Care Project
Innovative approaches to prevent falls in older people
Physical exercise training has been the primary focus of single interventions trials to reduce falls and advance healthy ageing. However, high attrition rates suggest that current approaches are not sufficient to guarantee long-term adherence to exercise in the majority of older adults.READ MORE
Innovative approaches to prevent falls in older people
Koori Active and Healthy Ageing Project
“Healthy ageing is your mind staying young” – Koori Growing Old Well Study participant
Healthy Ageing calls for cognitively, physically and socially active lifestyles. The current project seeks to recognise existing community strengths but work to enhance participation and engagement, provide new resources specific to healthy ageing and develop an accessible platform for rolling out this intervention to diverse older people and communities, enabling widespread benefit. We will trial a cutting-edge approach to advance healthy ageing with implications for many Australians to benefit, particularly older Aboriginal people.
The project examines how to implement evidence based healthy ageing programs in urban and regional Aboriginal communities. Elders play a vital role in Indigenous communities, providing leadership, caring for family, and transmitting cultural knowledge and practices. However, the health, well-being and quality of life of the increasing numbers of older Indigenous people, are threatened by high rates of dementia, falls and depression. Novel culturally-safe approaches are needed to better engage and support Indigenous peoples in terms of healthy ageing. This research will develop and evaluate effective, culturally appropriate, and accessible strategies to promote healthy ageing in Aboriginal communities. It will also investigate whether and how resilience related to social and cultural cohesion can protect well-being in Indigenous communities.
READ MORE
Koori Active and Healthy Ageing Project
Koori Growing Old Well Study
The primary aim of a proposed longitudinal study is to find the reasons for the high dementia rates (three times non-Indigenous rates) in urban/regional Aboriginal people.READ MORE
Koori Growing Old Well Study
RESEARCH TEAM
GAIL DAYLIGHT Aboriginal Dementia Education Officer (PT)
SANDRA FORSTER Admin Officer (PT)
PUBLICATIONS
Development and initial validation of the Retrospective Indigenous Childhood Enrichment scale (RICE).
Minogue C, Delbaere K, Radford K, Broe T, Forder WS, Lah S
ABSTRACTBackground:Years of education is the most commonly used proxy measure of cognitive reserve. Other forms of cognitive stimulation in childhood may provide similar protection against cognitive decline, particularly in Indigenous groups, where education may have been lacking in quality or quantity. The Retrospective Indigenous Childhood Enrichment (RICE) scale was developed to measure non-school-based activities and environmental stimulation during childhood that are likely to have enhanced cognitive reserve. The aim of the study was to assess the validity and reliability of the RICE scale with a group of older Aboriginal Australians.
Risk factors for falls among older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in urban and regional communities.
Lukaszyk C, Radford K, Delbaere K, Ivers R, Rogers K, Sherrington C, Tiedemann A, Coombes J, Daylight G, Draper B, Broe T
To examine associations between fall risk factors identified previously in other populations and falls among Aboriginal people aged 60 years and older, living in New South Wales, Australia. Falls were experienced by one-quarter of study participants. Fall risk factors identified for older Aboriginal people appear to be similar to those identified in the general population. Understanding of fall risk factors may assist with the development of appropriate and effective community-led fall prevention programs.
Childhood Stress and Adversity is Associated with Late-Life Dementia in Aboriginal Australians.
Radford K, Delbaere K, Draper B, Mack HA, Daylight G, Cumming R, Chalkley S, Minogue C, Broe GA
High rates of dementia have been observed in Aboriginal Australians. This study aimed to describe childhood stress in older Aboriginal Australians and to examine associations with late-life health and dementia. Childhood stress appears to have a significant impact on emotional health and dementia for older Aboriginal Australians. The ongoing effects of childhood stress need to be recognized as people grow older, particularly in terms of dementia prevention and care, as well as in populations with greater exposure to childhood adversity, such as Aboriginal Australians.