Here are some important journals and databases where you can find online information about aged care. We've highlighted those that offer high-quality, free online content. Some may require a subscription.
How can I access the information that is not free?
- Public libraries: They can often get items for you by inter-library loan
- University libraries: Former students may have access to electronic resources
- Professional associations: Membership of organisations like the Australian College of Nursing or the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation may come with access to certain publications
- Facility subscriptions: Your workplace might consider subscribing to important sector journals
- Individual purchases: You can often buy single articles online.
CareSearch resources
CareSearch offers evidence-based resources on palliative care for all age groups, not just older adults. The following sections may be useful:
Selected journals
Free access
Age and Ageing
An international journal publishing articles and reviews on geriatric medicine and gerontology. It covers research on ageing, service improvement, and clinical, epidemiological and psychological aspects of later life.
Free after 12 months
BMC Geriatrics
An open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers articles on all aspects of the health and healthcare of older people.
Canadian Geriatrics Journal
Publishes innovative ageing research aimed at improving the health and care of older people.
Geriatrics
An open access journal publishing articles on the health and healthcare of elderly people including issues regarding the healthcare systems and policies.
Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine
An open access journal focusing on the psychological, behavioural, social, and biological aspects of aging.
JMIR Aging
An open access journal focusing on digital health, emerging technologies, health informatics applications, clinical care, home care, and self-management support for older adults.
Journal of Aging Research
A peer-reviewed, open access journal that publishes original research articles, review articles, and clinical studies related to all aspects of ageing, gerontology, and geriatric medicine.
Subscription access
Sample copies are often free online.
Australasian Journal on Ageing
Covers social gerontology, residential, home and community care services, geriatric medicine, health services research and the biology of ageing.
Australian Journal of Dementia Care
A multidisciplinary journal for all professional staff working with people with dementia, in hospitals, nursing and residential care homes, day units and the community.
Geriatric Nursing
Provides nurses with clinical information and management advice relating to the care of older adults.
International Journal of Older People Nursing
An international journal for advancing knowledge on all aspects of older people nursing.
Journal of Gerontological Nursing
Deals with the practice and/or teaching of gerontological nursing.
Journal of Religion, Spirituality and Aging
An interdisciplinary, interfaith professional journal that explores how spirituality and religion impact the wellbeing of older adults, particularly in addressing emotional and end-of-life care needs.
Journal of the American Medical Directors Association
Covers topics such as geriatric medicine, dementia and cognitive impairment, rehabilitation, chronic comorbid conditions, the frail elder, medication management and prescribing issues, multi-resistant organisms and infectious diseases, falls prevention, assisted living risks and challenges.
Nursing and Residential Care (NRC)
A journal from the UK that provides multidisciplinary residential aged care teams with articles on current best practice care to improve the quality of life of residents. Topics include dementia care, infection control, nutrition, and wound care.
Nursing Older People
A practice-focused journal from the UK for nurses and other professionals working in gerontological care. Covers original research, practice initiatives, service evaluations, quality improvement projects and literature reviews.
Selected databases
See also the extensive set of databases listed on the CareSearch page Databases and Resources.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
AIHW is an Australian Government agency providing access to reliable and current information and statistics on aged care, as well as a range of other health and welfare issues.
Australian Policy Online: Aged Care
This site provides research and resources in the public interest and contains a large section of health related information.
Joanna Briggs Institute
The Institute provides reliable evidence which health professionals can use to inform their clinical decision making. It develops evidence in various formats for nursing, allied health and medical professionals. Some information is available free via a search on the JBI web site. Much of the content requires subscription.
PubMed
PubMed is a free resource that supports people to search and retrieve biomedical and health research literature. It contains more than 37 million citations with some links to full text articles when made available in open access format by publishers.
Page updated 03 January 2025