Overview
Background
Dr. Theresa Scott, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Geropsychology and former NHMRC Dementia Research Development Fellow, specialises in researching functional outcomes for older people and people living, or caring for a person, with dementia in various settings. Her NHMRC fellowship focused on dementia-related driving issues, leading to the co-development of CarFreeMe, a driving cessation program delivering support to people with dementia, adapted for telehealth delivery through additional NHMRC funding.
Dr. Scott's recent NHMRC MRFF-funded project collaborates with stakeholders to create resources for driving safety assessment with persons with dementia in primary care settings, including an innovative video-based fitness to drive test. She is Chief Investigator (CIA Prof Barbara Masser) on an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant that is generating new knowledge in recruiting, retaining, and deferring older blood donors.
Her research spans qualitative and quantitative methods and emphasises participatory research, co-design, and the integration of lived experiences. Her mixed methods research aims to improve the mental health, emotional well-being, quality of life and quality of care of older Australians and people living with progressive brain diseases such as dementia and their family care partners, through innovative research and knowledge translation activities. Her work addresses ageism, dementia stigma, mental health outcomes of psychosocial interventions, for example the mental health benefits of nature connection, significantly impacting dementia care, and loneliness and isolation.
Research interests:
- Ageing
- Aged care
- Co-design
- Dementia and quality of life
- Driving cessation and driving safety assessment
- Mental health outcomes of psychosocial interventions
Research Projects:
- Video-based Medical Fitness to Drive assessment (MRFF) http://researchers.uq.edu.au/research-project/55955
- Driving cessation intervention for persons with dementia (NHMRC) http://researchers.uq.edu.au/research-project/32115
- Engaging the over 50s to ensure the sustainability of our blood supply (ARC) http://researchers.uq.edu.au/research-project/61705
Availability
- Dr Theresa Scott is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Psychological Science, The University of Queensland
- Postgraduate Diploma in Research Methods, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Dementia
Quality of life; Mobility; Driving; Fitness to drive assessment; Social support; Stigma; Supporting communication within families; Engagement
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Ageing
Ageism; Stigma and Self-stereotypes; Mental health; Positive ageing; Psychosocial interventions to support ageing well
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Evidence based therapies supporting mental health
Social and therapeutic horticulture; nature therapy; nature connection.
Works
Search Professor Theresa Scott’s works on UQ eSpace
2023
Journal Article
A qualitative study exploring the experiences and needs of people living with young onset dementia related to driving cessation: ‘It’s like you get your legs cut off’
Scott, Theresa L., Rooney, Donna, Liddle, Jacki, Mitchell, Geoffrey, Gustafsson, Louise and Pachana, Nancy A. (2023). A qualitative study exploring the experiences and needs of people living with young onset dementia related to driving cessation: ‘It’s like you get your legs cut off’. Age and Ageing, 52 (7) afad109. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afad109
2024
Journal Article
Young onset dementia and driving cessation: a scoping review of lived experiences
Scott, Theresa L., Jaymes, R. W. M., McCaul, Trudy, Wilton-Harding, Bethany and Cations, Monica (2024). Young onset dementia and driving cessation: a scoping review of lived experiences. BMC Geriatrics, 24 (1) 661, 1-17. doi: 10.1186/s12877-024-05265-x
2024
Journal Article
A systematic review of intergenerational co-residence between older people and adult children
Hanum, Lathifah, Newcombe, Peter and Scott, Theresa (2024). A systematic review of intergenerational co-residence between older people and adult children. Journal of Family Studies, 1-21. doi: 10.1080/13229400.2024.2363785
2024
Journal Article
Exploring occupational therapy practice in Australian residential aged care facilities: a cross‐sectional survey
Rooney, Donna, Aplin, Tammy, Bennett, Sally, Gui, Dorcas Simin and Scott, Theresa (2024). Exploring occupational therapy practice in Australian residential aged care facilities: a cross‐sectional survey. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 71 (4), 578-592. doi: 10.1111/1440-1630.12943
2024
Journal Article
CarFreeMe™-dementia: potential benefits of a driving retirement intervention supporting persons with dementia and their families
Peterson, Colleen M., Ingvalson, Stephanie, Birkeland, Robyn W., Louwagie, Katie W., Scott, Theresa L., Pachana, Nancy A., Liddle, Jacki, Gustafsson, Louise and Gaugler, Joseph E. (2024). CarFreeMe™-dementia: potential benefits of a driving retirement intervention supporting persons with dementia and their families. Innovation in Aging, 8 (3) igae022, igae022. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igae022
2023
Journal Article
FC17: Effects of the CarFreeMe driving cessation intervention to identify and improve transport and lifestyle issues for people with dementia: Participant feedback and satisfaction after program completion
Scott, Theresa L., Pachana, Nancy A., Liddle, Jacki, McCaul, Trudy, Rooney, Donna, Beattie, Elizabeth, Mitchell, Geoffrey and Gustafsson, Louise (2023). FC17: Effects of the CarFreeMe driving cessation intervention to identify and improve transport and lifestyle issues for people with dementia: Participant feedback and satisfaction after program completion. International Psychogeriatrics, 35 (Supplement 1), 79-80. doi: 10.1017/s1041610223001151
2023
Journal Article
Silver tsunamis, gray ceilings, and ‘the problem of older adults’
Scott, Theresa L. (2023). Silver tsunamis, gray ceilings, and ‘the problem of older adults’. International Psychogeriatrics, 35 (3), 127-130. doi: 10.1017/s1041610222001004
2023
Conference Publication
Gardening for others as meaningful activity for people living with dementia
Pachana, Nancy A., Tulloch, Kristen, Scott, Theresa L., Regtn, Tamara De and Steiner, Nick (2023). Gardening for others as meaningful activity for people living with dementia. 20th IPA International Congress, Lisbon, Portugal, 29 June - 2 July 2023. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/s1041610223002922
2023
Journal Article
Understanding barriers to evidence-based support for driving cessation
Gustafsson, Louise, Liddle, Jacki, Pachana, Nancy A., Scott, Theresa Lorraine, George, Stacey and Laver, Kate (2023). Understanding barriers to evidence-based support for driving cessation. International Psychogeriatrics, 1-2. doi: 10.1017/s1041610223000753
2023
Journal Article
Pandemic gardening: a narrative review, vignettes and implications for future research
Kingsley, Jonathan, Donati, Kelly, Litt, Jill, Shimpo, Naomi, Blythe, Chris, Vávra, Jan, Caputo, Silvio, Milbourne, Paul, Diekmann, Lucy O., Rose, Nick, Fox-Kämper, Runrid, van den Berg, Agnes, Metson, Geneviève S., Ossola, Alessandro, Feng, Xiaoqi, Astell-Burt, Thomas, Baker, Amy, Lin, Brenda B., Egerer, Monika, Marsh, Pauline, Pettitt, Philip, Scott, Theresa L., Alaimo, Katherine, Neale, Kate, Glover, Troy and Byrne, Jason (2023). Pandemic gardening: a narrative review, vignettes and implications for future research. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 87 128062, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.ufug.2023.128062
2023
Journal Article
Does context count? The association between quality of care and job characteristics in residential aged care and hospital settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Hodroj, Batoul, Way, Kïrsten Agnes, Scott, Theresa L., Wright, April L. and Manchha, Asmita (2023). Does context count? The association between quality of care and job characteristics in residential aged care and hospital settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Gerontologist, 63 (6), 1012-1027. doi: 10.1093/geront/gnac039
2023
Book Chapter
Health and wellbeing benefits of therapeutic gardens and gardening activities for older people living in residential aged care settings
Scott, Theresa L. (2023). Health and wellbeing benefits of therapeutic gardens and gardening activities for older people living in residential aged care settings. Cultivated therapeutic landscapes. (pp. 192-209) edited by Pauline Marsh and Allison Williams. Abingdon, Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003355731-12
2023
Journal Article
3-Domains screening toolkit for medical assessment of older drivers: feasibility study in Australian general practice
Wallis, Katharine A., Scott, Theresa L., Mendis, Marini and Spurling, Geoffrey (2023). 3-Domains screening toolkit for medical assessment of older drivers: feasibility study in Australian general practice. Australian journal of general practice, 52 (6), 401-407. doi: 10.31128/AJGP-08-22-6528
2023
Journal Article
3-Domains screening toolkit for medical assessment of older drivers
Wallis, Katharine A., Scott, Theresa L., Mendis, Marini and Spurling, Geoffrey (2023). 3-Domains screening toolkit for medical assessment of older drivers. Australian Journal of General Practice, 52 (6), 401-407.
2023
Journal Article
Still in first gear: exploration of barriers for implementing driving cessation support
Liddle, Jacki, Gustafsson, Louise, Scott, Theresa, Byrnes, Joshua, Salmon, Amanda and Pachana, Nancy A. (2023). Still in first gear: exploration of barriers for implementing driving cessation support. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 42 (4), 796-800. doi: 10.1111/ajag.13218
2023
Journal Article
Refining a driving retirement program for persons with dementia and their care partners: a mixed methods evaluation of CarFreeMe™-Dementia
Peterson, Colleen M., Birkeland, Robyn W., Louwagie, Katie W., Ingvalson, Stephanie N., Mitchell, Lauren L., Scott, Theresa L., Liddle, Jacki, Pachana, Nancy A., Gustafsson, Louise and Gaugler, Joseph E. (2023). Refining a driving retirement program for persons with dementia and their care partners: a mixed methods evaluation of CarFreeMe™-Dementia. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 78 (3), 506-519. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbac151
2022
Journal Article
Exploring psychosocial dynamics underpinning driver identity in an older adult sample
Lee, Andrew K. and Scott, Theresa L. (2022). Exploring psychosocial dynamics underpinning driver identity in an older adult sample. Geriatrics, 7 (6) 122, 1-21. doi: 10.3390/geriatrics7060122
2022
Journal Article
Aging is inevitable, nihilism is optional
Scott, Theresa L. (2022). Aging is inevitable, nihilism is optional. International Psychogeriatrics, 34 (9), 761-763. doi: 10.1017/s1041610222000345
2022
Journal Article
Well-being benefits of horticulture-based activities for community dwelling people with dementia: a systematic review
Scott, Theresa L., Jao, Ying-Ling, Tulloch, Kristen, Yates, Eloise, Kenward, Oliver and Pachana, Nancy A. (2022). Well-being benefits of horticulture-based activities for community dwelling people with dementia: a systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (17) 10523, 1-20. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191710523
2021
Conference Publication
Horticulture-based Interventions to Enhance Health and Wellbeing of People Living With Dementia in the Community
Scott, Theresa, Jao, Ying-Ling, Tulloch, Kristen, Yates, Eloise and Pachana, Nancy (2021). Horticulture-based Interventions to Enhance Health and Wellbeing of People Living With Dementia in the Community. GSA 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting, Phoenix, AZ United States, 10-14 November 2021. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igab046.2443
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Theresa Scott is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Topics in Ageing: Mobility, Quality of life; Dementia + Quality of life, Stigma, Communication; Therapies
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Various Topics in Ageing and Mental Health:
Some examples: Ageism, Driving Cessation, Driving Safety Assessment in Primary Care, Quality of life in Dementia, Dementia Stigma, Communication; Psychosocial Therapies
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Co-residence with Children, Are Older People Happy?
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Closed veins: understanding the experiences and psychosocial impact of permanent deferral in older donors
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Barbara Masser
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Doctor Philosophy
An evaluation of primary care management of driving and driving cessation for people living with dementia, with a development and assessment of an innovative model of care
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Andrew Hill
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Doctor Philosophy
Mindful and compassionate nature connection to increase the well-being of family members caring for people living with dementia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor James Kirby
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Doctor Philosophy
Mathematically modelling the process of managing fitness to drive for people living with dementia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Horswill, Dr David Sewell
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Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the role of institutional logics and work design in the facilitation of anomie in residential aged care.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Nicole Gillespie, Associate Professor Kirsten Way
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Doctor Philosophy
Occupational Therapy in the Residential Aged Care Setting: The Occupational Therapists Role and Service Delivery in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Sally Bennett
Completed supervision
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Twillight or dimlight? Attitudes towards residential aged care and implementation of an learning integrated intervention designed to shift attitudes.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Nadeeka Dissanayaka, Professor Nancy Pachana
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
A Social Constructionist Appreciation of the mental health inpatient nursing care for people with intellectual disability.
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Theresa Scott directly for media enquiries about:
- ageing positively
- Dementia and driving cessation
- nature connection
- social and therapeutic gardening to combat loneliness and isolation
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