University of Canberra (UC) researchers investigating the innovative model of dementia care services pioneered by Community Home Australia, the ACT’s first independently operated specialist residential homes for people living with Younger Onset Dementia, have been selected for funding through the National Industry PhD Program, an initiative of the Australian Government's Department of Education.

The research project by Dr Claire Pearce, Professor Stephen Isbel, Associate Professor Nathan D’Cunha and PhD candidate Rhiannon Toohey, aims to uncover strategies for adapting Community Home Australia's services in diverse settings, including rural and remote areas. The work will add to the multidisciplinary dementia research carried out at UC’s Centre for Ageing Research and Translation (CARAT).

Community Homes Australia's first independent residential home, Kambera House, is in Tuggeranong, a suburb south of Canberra's CBD. The six-bed home opened in 2021 and was full in five days.  

CHA was founded by Dr Rodney Jilek, a Registered Nurse and aged care consultant with over 30 years’ experience in running aged care facilities, and Nicole Smith, a Registered Nurse and Gerontologist who is now CHA’s Chief Operations Officer.