Skip to main content

Site navigation

  • University of Technology Sydney home
  • Home

    Home
  • For students

  • For industry

  • Research

Explore

  • Courses
  • Events
  • News
  • Stories
  • People

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt
  • Study at UTS

    • arrow_right_alt Find a course
    • arrow_right_alt Course areas
    • arrow_right_alt Undergraduate students
    • arrow_right_alt Postgraduate students
    • arrow_right_alt Research Masters and PhD
    • arrow_right_alt Online study and short courses
  • Student information

    • arrow_right_alt Current students
    • arrow_right_alt New UTS students
    • arrow_right_alt Graduates (Alumni)
    • arrow_right_alt High school students
    • arrow_right_alt Indigenous students
    • arrow_right_alt International students
  • Admissions

    • arrow_right_alt How to apply
    • arrow_right_alt Entry pathways
    • arrow_right_alt Eligibility
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for students

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Apply for a coursearrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt
  • Scholarshipsarrow_right_alt
  • Featured industries

    • arrow_right_alt Agriculture and food
    • arrow_right_alt Defence and space
    • arrow_right_alt Energy and transport
    • arrow_right_alt Government and policy
    • arrow_right_alt Health and medical
    • arrow_right_alt Corporate training
  • Explore

    • arrow_right_alt Tech Central
    • arrow_right_alt Case studies
    • arrow_right_alt Research
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for industry

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Find a UTS expertarrow_right_alt
  • Partner with usarrow_right_alt
  • Explore

    • arrow_right_alt Explore our research
    • arrow_right_alt Research centres and institutes
    • arrow_right_alt Graduate research
    • arrow_right_alt Research partnerships
arrow_right_altVisit our hub for research

For you

  • Libraryarrow_right_alt
  • Staffarrow_right_alt
  • Alumniarrow_right_alt
  • Current studentsarrow_right_alt

POPULAR LINKS

  • Find a UTS expertarrow_right_alt
  • Research centres and institutesarrow_right_alt
  • University of Technology Sydney home
University of Technology Sydney home University of Technology Sydney home
  1. home
  2. arrow_forward_ios ... About UTS
  3. arrow_forward_ios ... Information on Faculties...
  4. arrow_forward_ios ... Faculty of Law
  5. arrow_forward_ios ... Excellent Research with ...
  6. arrow_forward_ios ... Research clusters
  7. arrow_forward_ios ... Law | Health | Justice
  8. arrow_forward_ios Law | Health | Justice r...
  9. arrow_forward_ios Ageing and the Law

Ageing and the Law

explore
  • Law | Health | Justice
    • Making change
      • arrow_forward Complaint Mechanisms for Reporting Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation
      • arrow_forward Disability Segregated Employment as Modern Slavery
      • arrow_forward Planning for Inclusion: Including People with Intellectual Disability in the Redevelopment of Peat Island
      • arrow_forward Self-Represented Litigants in Family Law proceedings involving allegations about Family Violence
      • arrow_forward Law and the Healthcare System: Supporting Positive Change for Doctors and Patients
    • Law | Health | Justice research themes
      • arrow_forward Ageing and the Law
      • arrow_forward Disability and the Law
      • arrow_forward Equity, Human Rights and Health
      • arrow_forward Healthcare Quality and Safety
      • arrow_forward Regulating Reproduction
    • arrow_forward Law | Health | Justice News
    • arrow_forward Law | Health | Justice Events
    • arrow_forward Publications

Law | Health | Justice researchers advancing the rights of older people.

Elderly people hiking in the forest.

Australia's population is ageing and more people are living longer with complex, chronic illnesses, including dementia and other conditions that affect cognitive abilities.

The Law | Health | Justice Research Centre's work in this area investigates the legal needs and rights of older people, with a focus on health, justice and inclusion in society. We scrutinise the impacts of laws and practices on the autonomy, dignity and right to self-determination of older people and our research advances evidence-based law reforms to respond to problems in an ageing society.

Researchers 

Nola Ries

Recent Work

Evaluation of Online ‘Dementia-Capable’ Training for Legal Professionals 

This project led by Prof Nola Ries is a pilot evaluation of two online, dementia-focused training courses for legal practitioners: (1) Understanding Dementia: Facts & Foundations; and (2) Planning Ahead: Focus on Advance Care Planning. 

The project is significant in delivering and evaluating innovative online training for legal professionals. The findings will reveal new insights on professionals’ confidence, knowledge, skills and attitudes. 

The research is supported with funding from the Australian Community of Practice on Research on Dementia (ACcORD), an NHMRC-funded initiative. 

Criminal Risk Behaviours and Dementia 

Led by Prof Nola Ries and Dr Fiona Kumfor (FRONTIER Dementia Research Clinic, University of Sydney), this project investigates the experiences of people with dementia—particularly younger onset dementia—whose behaviour changes may bring them into contact with police and the criminal justice system, an area with limited research in Australia. The study gathers insights from key stakeholders, including police, legal service providers, affected individuals, and their carers. Findings will provide valuable perspectives on dementia-related criminal risk behaviours and include recommendations for improving practices and policies. Supported by funding from the UTS Faculty of Law, this research seeks to enhance understanding and inform better responses within the justice system. 

Advance Planning for Research Participation: Consumer Views and Stakeholder Recommendations 

Led by Prof Nola Ries, this project explores advance planning for research, encouraging individuals aged 55+ to consider, discuss, and document preferences for participation in research during future periods of incapacity, potentially through an advance research directive. The study aims to gather views on a directive form and guidance booklet, developing stakeholder recommendations to support advance planning. Outcomes will include a directive template and implementation recommendations from consumer and stakeholder representatives in dementia, ageing, health research, policy, advocacy, and aged care services. The project is funded by a Strategic Research Grant from the Australian Association of Gerontology Research Trust.

Past Projects 

Redressing Violence, Abuse and Neglect of People Living with Dementia in Residential Aged Care  

This project, led by Dr Linda Steele, develops principles and a framework to guide law and policy on redress for violence, abuse, and neglect of people with dementia in aged care. It examines perspectives of those affected, including people with dementia, care partners, and advocates, considers international human rights on reparations, and analyses experiences from other Australian redress schemes. Funded by the Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration, with partners like Dementia Alliance International, the project aims to build an evidence base to inform policies that address violence and neglect in dementia care. For more information visit: dementiajustice.org.

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation and the Boorooberongal People of the Dharug Nation upon whose ancestral lands our campuses now stand. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands. 

University of Technology Sydney

City Campus

15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007

Get in touch with UTS

Follow us

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Facebook

A member of

  • Australian Technology Network
Use arrow keys to navigate within each column of links. Press Tab to move between columns.

Study

  • Find a course
  • Undergraduate
  • Postgraduate
  • How to apply
  • Scholarships and prizes
  • International students
  • Campus maps
  • Accommodation

Engage

  • Find an expert
  • Industry
  • News
  • Events
  • Experience UTS
  • Research
  • Stories
  • Alumni

About

  • Who we are
  • Faculties
  • Learning and teaching
  • Sustainability
  • Initiatives
  • Equity, diversity and inclusion
  • Campus and locations
  • Awards and rankings
  • UTS governance

Staff and students

  • Current students
  • Help and support
  • Library
  • Policies
  • StaffConnect
  • Working at UTS
  • UTS Handbook
  • Contact us
  • Copyright © 2025
  • ABN: 77 257 686 961
  • CRICOS provider number: 00099F
  • TEQSA provider number: PRV12060
  • TEQSA category: Australian University
  • Privacy
  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Accessibility