2025 University Research Seminar Series CHEF

Highlights of the presentation

Dr Vivian Isaac - From deficit to capacity: Realising the capabilities of older people

In this seminar, Dr Isaac will explore how we can shift the narrative around ageing—from focusing on deficits to recognising and enhancing the capacities of older adults. Drawing on epidemiological and intervention studies, Dr Isaac will present research aimed at understanding individual capabilities to inform more effective interventions and policies.

The seminar will highlight the World Health Organization’s 2015 public health framework for healthy ageing, which introduced intrinsic capacity as a key determinant. Among its domains, psychological capacity remains underexplored. Dr Isaac will share current work that seeks to deepen our understanding of psychological capacity in older adults.

The second part of the seminar will focus on findings from the Harmony in the Bush Dementia Study, a quasi-experimental study conducted in five rural Australian nursing homes. This innovative, strength-based approach integrates person-centred care planning with personalised music for residents with dementia, demonstrating promising outcomes. Older people to be, and to do, the things they have reason to value.

Dr. Issac’s work covers Domain A (knowledge and intellectual abilities) and D (engagement, influence and impact).

This is a virtual event that can be accessed via Teams
Meeting ID: 491 393 186 464 2
Password: Du2PB6AC

Join event