The Positive Ageing Summit Masterclass
Day 1 Masterclass Program
Wednesday 20 May 2026
11:00am – 12:30pm: Nutrition Masterclass
Reablement at mealtimes: Practical approaches to improve safety, independence and nutritional intake
Presented by
In this interactive session, a Dietitian and Speech Pathologist will share practical, person-centred approaches helping people stay well-nourished and confident at mealtimes while maintaining choice and dignity. We’ll cover how to spot nutrition and swallowing risk early using simple screening triggers, how to set up meals for success through the environment and the right level of support, and how to keep mealtimes safe and enjoyable with realistic nutrition tips and food choices that fit everyday routines. Participants will work through short case examples and leave with immediately usable actions to apply with clients, families and care workers.
Workshop learning outcomes
- Spot risk early (quick screening triggers for nutrition + swallowing)
- Setting up meals for success (environment + support)
- Maintaining safe and enjoyable mealtimes (nutrition + food choices)
Presenters
Chelsea Stewart, Speech Pathologist, Food Solutions
Kylie Walton, Dietitian, Food Solutions
2:00pm – 3.30pm: Reablement Masterclass
Evidence to Impact: Building and Delivering Beneficial Strength and Balance Programs
Join us at the Positive Ageing Summit 2026 for a dynamic, evidence‑informed exercise masterclass designed to elevate your service delivery for older adults. Led by internationally recognised physiotherapist Dr Jennie Hewitt and Associate Professor Justin Keogh, this session will equip you with practical strategies for embedding progressive strength and balance training into your business model—whether you work with community‑dwelling older adults or residents in aged care. Discover how to translate the latest research into safe, engaging, and scalable programs that improve function, confidence, and quality of life. Strengthen your organisation’s impact and be at the forefront of the positive ageing innovation.
Workshop learning outcomes
- Design and deliver safe, progressive strength and balance programs
Participants will learn to structure and deliver evidence‑informed exercise programs that progressively build strength, balance, and mobility in older adults across varied care settings.
- Apply research‑based exercise prescription principles
Delegates will understand how to use contemporary exercise prescription theory— including program cards and proven models such as those highlighted in the SUNBEAM and GRACE trials— to create scalable, effective interventions.
- Adapt exercise programming for common comorbidities
Participants will gain confidence in modifying exercise prescriptions to ensure safety and effectiveness for older adults living with multiple chronic conditions including osteoarthritis and dementia.
- Enhance engagement and motivation through creative balance and functional activities
Delegates will learn practical strategies—such as games, dance‑based activities, and group participation techniques—to boost enjoyment, social connection, and adherence for older adult focused exercise programs.
- Translate assessment outcomes into meaningful service delivery improvements
Participants will be able to use functional assessments and case‑based reasoning to monitor progress, demonstrate value, and embed exercise services within their organisation’s care or business models.
Presenters
Dr Jennie Hewitt, General Manager, Clinical Research & Reablement, Whiddon
Dr Justin Keogh, Associate Professor, Bond University
Note: Program is subject to change
Day 2 masterclass Program
Thursday 21 May 2026
2:00pm – 3.30pm: Innovation Masterclass
Innovation That Sticks: Implementing Practical and Evidence-based Change for Positive Ageing
Presented by
Australia’s aged care and allied health sectors are rich in evidence, ideas and innovation—yet turning good practice into everyday reality that sticks remains one of our greatest challenges.
Delivered by ARIIA, this interactive masterclass focuses on how to move from evidence to impact—supporting positive ageing through practical innovation, effective change management and implementation that works in real‑world settings.
Drawing on ARIIA’s national work in workforce capability building, best-practice resources and pragmatic implementation know-how, participants will explore:
- Why well‑intended innovations often stall—and what helps them succeed in aged care contexts
- How to apply evidence‑based and best‑practice change approaches in diverse organisational and community settings
- Practical strategies for leading and sustaining change across multidisciplinary teams drawn from ARIIA’s Knowledge and Implementation Hub, leadership programs and capability resources.
- The role of co‑design, collaboration and context in supporting positive ageing outcomes
Aged care leaders and managers and allied health professionals who want to strengthen their confidence and capability to implement change in parallel to current service delivery—without adding unnecessary complexity – will leave with clear, practical insights they can adapt to their own roles, services and communities, supporting care that is person‑centred, evidence‑informed and sustainable.
Participants will be better able to:
- Understand key enablers and barriers to implementation in aged care
- Apply practical change‑management and implementation principles to real workplace challenges
- Identify strategies to translate evidence into meaningful, measurable practice change
Presenters
Dr Rebecca Bilton, Program and Research Director, ARIIA
Dr Stephanie Champion, Research Fellow, ARIIA
Liana Donleavy, Senior Manager, Industry & Engagement, ARIIA
Note: Program is subject to change
Get Involved
To find out how you can be involved in the program.
Email info@positiveageingsummit.com.au