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Beyond Ageing Project

The Beyond Ageing Project aims to determine whether mental health literacy, physical activity or folate prevents depression in older individuals. The Beyond Ageing project is a randomised controlled trial which commenced in 2006 and will be complete in 2008.

Efforts to prevent depression have largely focused on young people. Given that first episodes of depression often occur in adolescence or early adulthood, this emphasis is justified. However, depression occurs also later in life. For older people, there are certain risk factors, which may make individuals more vulnerable to depression. These risk factors may require preventive action.

The study comprises 900 participants aged 60-74 living in Sydney, Canberra and Wagga, and the primary aim is to determine the efficacy of several interventions in preventing older individuals from developing serious problems with depression. The study has incorporated a healthy ageing program and has begun to evaluate the effects of folate and vitamin B12 vs placebo; physical activity vs nutrition information; information about depression vs information about pain management.

Data analysis on the 12 month follow-up data indicated that mental health literacy improved depression symptoms at six weeks and at 12 months but that there were no effects of folate or physical activity. The 24 month follow-up is currently in progress.

For more information please visit the Beyond Ageing Project webpage.

 

ARU staff working on the Beyond Ageing Project

• Professor Helen Christensen
• Dr Janine Walker
• Mr Philip Batterham