Department profile

The geriatric specialty focuses on diagnosing, comprehensive assessment, treatment and care in older patients with complex clinical problems. This may comprise an interaction between the patients’ acute illnesses and chronic disorder(s):

  • Awareness of the different symptomatology in young versus older patients
  • Inappropriate medication
  • Early diagnosis and early ambulation

The geriatric care requires an optimal interdisciplinary and cross-sectional collaboration on many levels:

  • Patient involvement in clinical decision making
  • Early discharge planning
  • Early follow-up visits after discharge
  • Hospital at home


We aim at preventing:

  • Reduced quality of life
  • Recurrence of illness and re-hospitalisation
  • Loss of usual physical functional capacity

The Geriatric Research Unit

The interdisciplinary research group collaborates with patients/relatives and researchers in other specialties, hospitals, regions, and countries.

Both departmental operating funds and grants fund the research.

The unit is located at Aarhus University Hospital, Entrance J, J501, and is affiliated with the Department of Geriatrics management and the Department of Clinical Medicine at Aarhus University.

Vision

Together, we advance research in geriatrics to the highest level to improve older people's lives and health.

We do this by

  • conducting holistic research with and for all patients
  • creating and leading national and international research projects
  • developing an excellent research environment across disciplines and specialties
  • creating the best development opportunities for students and all talented researchers

Values

Ambition

We strive to conduct high-quality research that brings improvements for older patients and their relatives.

Collaboration

We collaborate and include partners across specialties and disciplines.

Generosity

We welcome collaborators to participate in our research.

Creativity

We strive to create better solutions to clinically complex challenges.

Objectives

The research unit focuses particularly on patients with geriatric issues. Geriatric patients are characterized by advanced age and are often living with frailty, including a high degree of multimorbidity and physical and/or cognitive impairment.
We will elevate research in geriatrics to the highest level to improve the lives and health of older patients.

The research unit is guided by:

  • conducting research of high academic standards and productivity
  • undertaking relevant research demanded by clinical staff and ensure the possibility of implementing new knowledge
  • contributing to increasing evidence within the treatment, care, and rehabilitation of older people living with frailty throughout the healthcare system
  • being a dynamic and engaged research unit capable of educating and attracting talented students and researchers
  • collaborating with other research environments at Aarhus University Hospital, regionally, nationally and internationally, and across sectors

Research and publications

External Research Funding

In the past five years, the Geriatrics research unit at Aarhus University Hospital has received external funding from the following foundations:

  • Danish Cancer Society (Kræftens Bekæmpelse)
  • Novo Nordisk
  • BETA.HEALTH
  • Research Fund of the Central Denmark Region (Region Midtjyllands Forskningsfond)
  • Public Health in Central Denmark (Folkesundhed-i-Midten)
  • Hørslev Foundation
  • Helge Peetz Foundation
  • Astrid Thaysen Foundation
  • ACROBATIC (Funds for Cancer Research)
  • Health Foundation (Helsefonden)
  • Research Pool of the Hospital Unit of Central Denmark (Hospitalsenhed Midts Forskningspulje)