Healthy ageing mental health services
Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN) is committed to enhancing health services for older people in our region, including those who are living independently, as well as those in residential aged care homes.
On this page:
Healthy ageing consumer information sheets
Consumer and carer poster
Poster for residents and for the families and carers who are supporting a loved one’s mental health during the move into residential aged care. Includes a QR code that links directly to clear and practical factsheets.
Navigating the move into aged care
Information sheet for families and carers to support a loved one navigating the move into aged care.
Looking after your mental health
Information sheet with strategies to support residents, families and carers in looking after their mental health.
Accessing services
Information sheet for residents, families and carers with services to assist with mental health and wellbeing.
New bite-sized mental health resources for RACH teams
We’ve heard that finding time for mental health training can be tough for residential aged care staff, and that short, practical resources are the most helpful for busy teams.
In response, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, through their Healthy Ageing Service, has created a series of short mental health video clips designed to be easily shared with staff or used during quick team catch-ups:
- Supporting new residents adjusting to life in aged care
- Recognising anxiety and depression in residents
- Helping residents access social enrichment opportunities
- Using behavioural activation, sensory modulation, and occupation for residents
Mental health and ageing
It is known that older people in the community can struggle to access mental health services. Older people living in residential aged care homes are particularly challenged, both in access to services and increased experience of mental health issues than those people living in the community.
Factors increasing the risk of mental health issues in older age include:
- Poor physical health
- A history of mental health issues
- Life transitions
- New medical illness
- Losses in life
- Social isolation
- Adverse life events
The Healthy Ageing Service, delivered by St Vincent’s Hospital, is addressing the holistic needs of people aged over 65 years, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged over 55 years.
What is the Healthy Ageing Service?
Recognising the particular mental health challenges facing older persons, the Healthy Ageing Service involves:
- Identifying people at risk of mental health issues.
- Providing support and workforce training in mental health to GPs, practice staff, and residential aged care home staff, to drive collaborative team-based care.
- Increasing support to older people with mental health issues (and their families) who are living in the community or in residential aged care facilities by providing up to six free brief intervention sessions for the older person.
The Healthy Ageing Service involves a ‘whole-of-person’ approach, taking into consideration other support needs, including alcohol and drug treatment, suicide prevention, psychosocial support, housing and physical health.
Healthy Ageing Service Resources
For further information, please contact:
St Vincent’s Healthy Ageing Service9231 8443
HAS@svha.org.auResearch papers of interest
