Ms Susan Hunt

PhD Student

Contact details:

Ph:  03 8575 2201
Fax: 03 8575 2233
Email: susan.hunt@monash.edu
Address: Monash University, Building 1, 270 Ferntree Gully Rd, Notting Hill, 3168

Supervisors: Dr. Jane Sims, Prof. Colette Browning and Dr. Sean Cowlishaw

Title: Modelling successful ageing and lifestyle behaviour patterns

The aim of Sue's current doctoral research is to study the predictors of successful mental health ageing overtime, based on a large sample of older adults. To do so, a unique and powerful longitudinal dataset will be employed: the Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) project. The DYNOPTA project draws together data from nine Australian longitudinal studies of ageing with a combined pool of over 50 000 participants. Please see dynopta.anu.edu.au for more information.

Biography

Sue completed her honours in psychology in 2005 at the University of Melbourne, which involved studying the promotion of conflict resolution skills. She began her research career at the Murdoch Institute, investigating wellbeing in adolescence. Sue was then employed by the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI). Her project activity at NARI included developing the Dementia Resource Guide and the national recommendations for physical activity for older people for the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Sue has worked with residential care facilities organising action research groups to implement falls prevention activities. She has also been involved in research into health benefits associated with volunteering.

Publications

Dow, B., Moore, K., Dunbar, J. M., Nankervis, J., & Hunt, S. (2010). A description evaluation of an innovative rural rehabilitation programme in South Eastern Australia. Disability and Rehabilitation, 32(9), 781-789.

Sims, J., Hill, K., Hunt, S., & Haralambous, B. (2010). Physical activity recommendations for older Australians. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 29(2), 81-87.

Vrantsidis, F., Hill, K. D., Moore, K., Webb, R., Hunt, S., & Dowson, L. (2009a). Effectiveness and acceptability of Feldenkrais in improving balance related outcomes for older people: a randomised trial. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 17(1).

Vrantsidis, F., Hill, K. D., Moore, K., Webb, R., Hunt, S., & Dowson, L. (2009b). Getting Grounded Gracefully: effectiveness and acceptability of Feldenkrais in improving balance. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 17(1), 57-76.

Williams, S. B., Brand, C. A., Hill, K. D., Hunt, S., & Moran, H. (2010). Feasibility and outcomes of a home-based exercise program on improving balance and gait stability in women with lower-limb osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot study. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 91(1), 106-114.

Conference Activity

Hunt, S., Browning, C., Sims, J., & Wang, W. (2009). Modelling Successful Ageing, Ageing Transitions and Lifestyle Behaviour Patterns. Paper presented at the 8th National Emerging Researchers in Ageing Conference, Melbourne.

Hunt, S., Hill, K., Moore, K., LoGidice, D., Klaic, M., Hempton, C., et al. (2007). The Dementia Resource Guide. Paper presented at the National Dementia Research Forum, Sydney.