Research
Australia's Aged Care Reforms: What Changed from 1 July 2026?
13 July 2026
The new Aged Care Act and Support at Home began on 1 November 2025 — and 1 July 2026 brings another milestone: greater pricing transparency, stronger consumer protections and further improvements to home care.
Cognitive stimulation works — so why does it stall in care homes?
6 July 2026
Cognitive stimulation and reminiscence therapy have solid evidence behind them — yet they often don't make it into daily practice. A 2025 systematic review pinpoints why, and what actually helps them stick in care homes.
Do brain games actually work? What three studies say about keeping older minds sharp
29 June 2026
Crosswords, board games and brain-training apps are everywhere in aged care. But do they actually work? We read three of the studies behind the headlines — here's the honest, evidence-based answer, and what it means for engagement in care.
Cognitive therapy is recommended for dementia — so why can't most Australians access it?
22 June 2026
Cognitive interventions are among the most recommended non-drug supports for dementia — yet most Australians in community care can't access them. A new University of Canberra study explains why, and what providers can do about it.
Memory self-efficacy and the use of the BrainTrainerPlus™
1 August 2019
A study of 53 older adults in Dutch nursing homes and day-care centres found that five weeks of daily training on the BrainTrainerPlus™ significantly improved memory self-efficacy, mood and cognitive functioning.
Older Australians aiming to age well are getting into gaming
1 August 2017
The number of older Australians playing video games is on the rise, and for good reason. Digital Australia 2018 found 43% of over-65s now play — many to keep their minds active and help fend off dementia.
Brain training app helps in slowing cognitive decline Aged Care Insite
4 July 2017
A brain training computer game developed by British neuroscientists has been shown to improve the memory of patients in the earliest stages of dementia, with players seeing around a 40% improvement in memory scores after a month.
How video gaming can be beneficial for the brain
3 October 2013
A study at the Max Planck Institute found that video gaming causes measurable growth in brain regions responsible for spatial orientation, memory formation, strategic planning and fine motor skills.