The number of
older people in our population is increasing
and this means it is vital that we
understand the causes of the disorders they
suffer from and how to cure them. The role
of the Ageing and Alzheimer's Research
Foundation is to support research into
healthy ageing and the diseases of old age.
Those that cause the most severe
disabilities are predominantly disorders of
the brain that affect cognition and mobility
ie. Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's
disease, other dementias, stroke and senile
gait disorders.
The Foundation conducts research into the
epidemiology of ageing and the clinical
presentation, and genetic and
neuropathological aspects of brain
disorders.
AARF also supports an extensive community
educational program that covers a wide
variety of activities with groups of older
people, carer support groups, and community,
health and residential aged care workers.
The education and research supported by the
Foundation is carried out by staff members
of the Centre for Education and Research on
Ageing (CERA) and its collaborators. Funding
of CERA is through a mix of government
grants, departmental funding and donor
support through the Ageing and Alzheimer's
Research Foundation.