Hear our Head of Research Judy Lowthian on why building the bridge between research and implementation is the key to successful care innovation.
Aged Care Recruitment Manager | Podcast Host of the "Leaders in Aged Care" series | 75+ Episodes with CEOs, COOs Execs & Leaders around AUS and growing! Call me on 0404412599 to be featured or to discuss recruitment!
Podcast – Leaders in Aged Care with Judy Lowthian, Episode 75 It was a pleasure to welcome Judy Lowthian, Head of Research at Bolton Clarke, to the Leaders in Aged Care Podcast. Judy leads the charge in turning research into real-world change, making a profound impact in the aged care sector. Bolton Clarke is Australia’s largest independent not-for-profit aged care provider, delivering 12,500 daily home visits, managing 38 retirement villages, and operating 99 nursing homes across Australia and New Zealand. At the core of this organization is the Bolton Clarke Research Institute, where Judy and her team of 15 researchers work tirelessly to improve the quality of life for older Australians. Unlike many organizations, Bolton Clarke doesn’t just collaborate with external researchers—they’ve built their own institute. This integration ensures that their findings are applied directly to care, from fall prevention programs to holistic health approaches like social prescribing. One standout achievement is their frailty screening tool, which identifies physical, psychological, social, and nutritional risks, enabling staff to address issues before they escalate. Judy is inspired by the people she serves. She shared that older Australians have lived remarkable lives and continue to enrich our communities with their wisdom and resilience. For her, the privilege of supporting them as they navigate life’s transitions is what makes her work so rewarding. Her colleague, Katherine Platt, had a question for Judy: “What inspires you to work in aged care and improve the industry?” Judy’s response was clear: the people—their stories, their strength, and the opportunity to serve them better every day. To close, Judy left a thought-provoking question for our next guest: “What does an average week look like for you?” It’s a simple reminder of the complexity and variety in aged care work. Judy’s message to anyone considering aged care as a career was equally powerful: "Come to aged care. You can make a real difference—and have great fun doing it."