Curtin and Positive Ageing Foundation to help older WA people

Curtin University of Technology's Centre for Research into Aged Care Services and the Positive Ageing Foundation (PAF) are forming a partnership that will benefit older Western Australians.

Curtin Executive Dean of Health Sciences Professor Charles Watson welcomed the partnership that will help PAF strengthen its role in education, research and advocacy related to ageing.

"This is an important opportunity for us to consolidate resources in advocating for health services and other issues relating to ageing," Professor Watson said.

Rhonda Parker - the current PAF Chief Executive - will be appointed to an academic position within Curtin when the Foundation moves from Cottesloe to the University's Bentley campus.

The partnership has been brought about by an agreement between the PAF Board of Trustees and Curtin.

Head of the PAF Board of Trustees, Kay Hallahan AO, said the partnership will support an expanded brief and mandate in ageing research consistent with the Curtin Centre's strategic direction.

"This collaboration will boost the Centre's potential to attract additional research funding and increase its capacity to carry out relevant and much needed research into ageing in WA and across Australia," Ms Hallahan said.

The Centre at Curtin was established in 2000 with substantial funding from the Freemasons of WA. Since then - under the leadership of Dr Barbara Horner - it has built a research network and reputation with other national and international research centres as well as individual researchers.

The Centre's primary focus is a commitment to research that improves the quality of life for older people. Education and advocacy are also a major part of its work.

Curtin's Professor Watson said an affiliation with the PAF - under the guidance of Rhonda Parker - will further strengthen the Centre's impact.

"It will help to ensure that older people are represented in a positive, proactive and empowering way," he said.

PAF's community development programs which include its computer training program the Lifeball program and community development projects will be taken up by the Council on the Ageing (WA) Inc (COTA).

Nigel Barker, Director of COTA (WA) said that COTA (WA) is delighted to be given the opportunity to take on these programs which will both supplement and enhance our role as the state's peak seniors organisation, and nationally as part of the recently launched COTA Over 50's Alliance.

"There is a great synergy between PAF's community development programs and COTA (WA)'s existing activities including its Living Longer Living Stronger progressive strength training program and its internationally acknowledged computer training courses," Mr Barker said.