• Charles Sturt social work and gerontology academic Dr Belinda Cash from Albury-Wodonga to present at Trans-Tasman Online Conference 2020

A Charles Sturt University academic’s work around supporting older adults through the COVID-19 pandemic is gaining global recognition.

Lecturer in social work and gerontology in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences in Albury-Wodonga, Dr Belinda Cash recently presented a webinar about the impacts of social distancing on older adults.

A representative from Audiology Australia attended the webinar and as a result, Dr Cash has been invited to speak at the Trans-Tasman Online Conference 2020.

Her presentation will be about the impacts of a changing world on older adults and their health and care needs.

Dr Cash said as the population continues to age, health professionals must ensure their knowledge and skills reflect the needs of older adults.

“Central to providing individualised and high quality care is an understanding of the complex factors that can impact on health and healthcare later in life,” she said.

Dr Cash’s session will explore individual and contextual considerations that impact on health in later life and on the engagement of older adults with health advice.

The discussion will place a focus on how these considerations are impacted by the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“This invitation recognises Charles Sturt University’s expertise in ageing and gerontology and presents a great opportunity to share our gerontology-specific expertise with professional associations,” Dr Cash said.

The Trans-Tasman Online Conference 2020 will run from April to June, with Dr Cash due to present on Wednesday 20 May at 10am AEST.