Dr Lenore de la Perrelle is a Social Worker and an aged care and implementation science researcher. She is a Research Fellow at the Research Centre for Palliative Care, Death and Dying working in the End of Life Directions in Aged Care (ELDAC) project.
What is your main research area and why did it pique your interest?
My main research area is improving aged and dementia care through implementing evidence-based practice and evaluating the strategies used. After family experience and my work in aged and dementia care for many years, I undertook a career change to understand how implementation science and research could drive improvement. The prevalence of dementia in the ageing population, for women especially, drives my wish to make a difference.
What are you currently working on and how do you envision it helping improve palliative and end-of-life care?
Right now, my work is focused on improving communication between aged care staff and family carers regarding end-of-life plans. Many misconceptions and discomforts surround palliative care, and addressing these barriers is critical.
My next initiative supports the aged care sector in preparing for new quality standards in palliative care while also deepening the understanding of how diversity impacts end-of-life experiences for older people, their families and aged care staff.
While my focus is on ELDAC projects, my other research activity is in palliative dementia care, supporting access to mental health support for older people and trauma-informed aged care in partnership with colleagues at Flinders University, University of SA and NARI.
What are the next steps in terms of rolling out and further collaboration?
I am preparing to launch the ELDAC Diversity Room – a dedicated space to support aged care staff in understanding the complex intersections between diverse population groups, workforce diversity, and end-of-life care. This initiative will foster greater awareness, helping providers deliver more inclusive and person-centred care.
What have been the highlights of your research journey so far?
I have been inspired by the dedication of aged care staff to improve practice, despite constraints in the sector. Their willingness to partner with researchers to design and evaluate implementation strategies in dementia care, trauma-informed care, mental health and end of life care, have been so important in changing practice and improving care.
Outside of research, how do you like to spend your spare time?
When I’m not working, I enjoy family and friends’ get-togethers, yoga, and attending theatre and music performances. I am an avid collector of Aboriginal art and enjoy travelling in Australia to meet artists and communities. I also plan to travel more extensively to explore cultures in other countries.