4 Mar 2015

Millions to tackle 'ageing well'

2:35 pm on 4 March 2015

New Zealand scientists are hoping to figure out how to delay the onset of conditions like dementia and arthritis as part of a project focusing on the problems of an ageing population.

A young doctor holds an elderly woman's hand.

Photo: 123RF

The project is part of the government's $140 million National Science Challenges.

There are 10 challenges in the decade-long research, one of which is on "ageing well".

More details were revealed today about the challenge, which will cost almost $15 million.

It will focus on five strands - independence, social integration, recognising older people's knowledge, reducing disability and developing age-friendly environments.

It will also look at degenerative conditions such as dementia, arthritis, cerebrovascular disease and frailty, and how they could be delayed, or impacts reduced.

The project will be led by Otago University, but a number of agencies will be involved.

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