Ensuring that older people receive high-quality care is a critical societal challenge that affects individuals, families, and communities across Australia. As the population ages and increasing numbers of older adults access aged care services, there is a growing need to ensure that care is informed by high-quality evidence. However, older people accessing aged care are frequently underrepresented in many research studies, limiting the evidence available to guide their treatment and care.
A/Prof Harrison uses large, linked national datasets to better understand the health of older people and the care they receive. By examining information that is already collected through health and aged care systems, she identifies ways to improve care, safety, and health outcomes for older people. Her research provides important evidence that helps policy makers and aged care providers make decisions to improve services for older people.
Her work has led to real-world improvements in aged care policy and practice. For example, her research on the use of psychotropic medicines helped shape national policy, improving the safety and quality of care for more than 400,000 people living with dementia. She has also contributed to the expansion of the Australian Government’s National Aged Care Quality Indicator Program, which helps monitor and improve the quality and safety of aged care.
A/Prof Harrison is currently leading research to improve access to long-term care for older people after stroke and to understand how recent aged care reforms are affecting people living with dementia. She is also leading a large program of research examining how factors such as where people live, their income, social support, and cultural background influence access to aged care services. This work aims to reduce inequalities and ensure that all older people can access the care and support they need, when they need it.