Lachs et al, 2021: Bringing Advances in Elder Abuse Research Methodology and Theory to Evaluation of Interventions For a much needed read on the necessity for more rigorous evaluation on elder abuse interventions, Lachs et al, 2021 article sets out a strong proposition for evaluating elder abuse interventions across Australian communities. Background According to Lack

Ethics and Governance The Centre for Better Relationships was born out of Better Place Australia’s values of compassion, optimism, professionalism and empowerment. Integrity We conduct our research with integrity and professionalism and base our professional obligations in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines, to maintain accountability with participants and the communities we work

Evaluation framework for children’s contact centre Children’s Contact Services (CCS) were implemented through the Australian Attorney General’s Department to provide children with safe spaces to visit non-residential parents when parents cannot manage their own contact arrangements. These are supervised environments where interactions with parents can take place and where oversight for the transfer of a

Suicidal behaviours amongst CALD communities Pathways for those with a lived experience of suicide behaviours across culturally & linguistically diverse (CALD) communities “Unique differences” With their being unique differences through multiculturalism, CALD populations have varied experiences of mental health adversities and suicidal ideations. Experiences of stigma, discrimination and trauma are key in underpinning suicide prevention

From home life to institutional life “Rates of depression found to be much higher for people living in residential aged care than those of the same age living at home…” Overview This opinion editorial explores how moving into residential aged care is often seen as a ‘normal’ phase of one’s life. Much is made of

Mental health interventions for aged care This brief review provides an overview of academic and grey literature and provides suggestions for best practice in the field. Overview Little is known about the effectiveness of specialist mental health care interventions in aged care settings. This is predominantly due to the small number of initiatives in operation

We all need social connections “Community attitudes to social inclusion are creating a crisis of loneliness and isolation, exacerbated by the pandemic…”  Overview In this opinion editorial we argue that we are facing an increasingly fragmented social hierarchy. Older Australians are being left behind and we are at risk of losing the intergenerational connection that

Collective prejudice Better Place Australia’s position paper on the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.  Published July 2021 Overview Most responses to the Australian Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (2021) have characterised it as an important and ground-breaking publication with the potential to affect real change in the provision of

Examination of financial hardship An examination of financial hardship, debt and poverty amongst 1900+ users of the Better Place Australia financial counselling services Overview This report describes the demographics and nature of debt for all clients who accessed our Financial Counselling and Capabilities (FCC) services in the 2017-18 financial year. There was a total of

Rainbow family formation and dissolution in Australia A scoping review of the academic literature.  Published November 2019 Overview The Centre for Better Relationships conducted a scoping review of the Australian academic literature relating to the formation and dissolution of rainbow families and their interactions with family law services. Our aims were to identify any best-practice

Better research leads to better relationships The Centre for Better Relationships is the research, advocacy and policy arm of Better Place Australia, and serves as an invaluable resource for our many projects and initiatives. The Centre’s targeted and insightful research supports our commitment to helping Australians lead a better life through fostering stronger relationships. This

Elder Abuse Discussion Paper A summary of experience and practice observations in responding to elder abuse through the Respecting Elders service Overview This discussion paper reports on the experience and practice observations of Better Place Australia in responding to elder abuse through the Respecting Elders service in 2017-18. Elder abuse may take the form of neglect, psychological,