Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Improving mental health services for older people
- Author:
- HARION Nerys
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing Times, 21.08.07, 2007, pp.21-22.
- Publisher:
- Nursing Times
The UK Inquiry into Mental Health and Well-Being in later life has revealed that the care of older people with mental health problems is inadequate. The author outlines the some of the recommendations of the report and the five main priority areas for action.
An age-old problem?
- Author:
- GEORGE Mike
- Journal article citation:
- Care and Health Magazine, 1.2.05, 2005, pp.22-23.
- Publisher:
- Care and Health
Discusses how the perception that depression is a 'natural' part of old age, may mean that many older people are not getting the help they need. Looks at the need for specialist services, but those that also ensure older people have access to the full range of mental health services, rather than assuming any treatment must be in the form of medication. Looks at initiatives in Hertforshire and East Kent NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust.
Acceptability of a lay-delivered intervention for depression in senior centers
- Authors:
- RAUE Patrick J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 25(3), 2021, pp.445-452.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objective: We examined: 1. depression rates among senior center clients; and 2. the acceptability of a lay-delivered intervention for depression (“Do More, Feel Better”) from the perspective of key stakeholders prior to its implementation. Method: We conducted cross-sectional surveys at four Seattle-area senior centers of 140 clients, 124 volunteers, and 12 administrators and staff. Client measures included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to determine depression severity, and items assessing depression treatment preferences. Following description of “Do More, Feel Better” as a lay-delivered intervention focused on increasing participation in rewarding activities, we used quantitative and qualitative items to assess acceptability to: 1. clients participating in; 2. volunteers administering; and 3. administrators and staff supporting the intervention. Results: 25% of senior center clients (35/140) endorsed elevated depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 10). 81% of clients (114/140) reported that they would consider participating in “Do More, Feel Better,” and 59% percent of volunteers (73/123) expressed interest in learning how to assist others using the intervention. Administrators and staff reported high comfort levels with proposed volunteer training procedures, and they identified funding and staffing considerations as challenges to sustaining the intervention. Conclusion: Findings indicate high depression rates among senior center clients and support the acceptability of lay-delivered behavioral interventions for depression from a variety of stakeholders. Further investigation of the feasibility, effectiveness, and implementation of “Do More, Feel Better” is warranted, particularly in the context of a lack of health care professionals available to meet the mental health needs of older adults. (Edited publisher abstract)
Unhappy old age
- Author:
- SHEPARD Stuart
- Journal article citation:
- Health Service Journal, 1.11.07, 2007, pp.26-27.
- Publisher:
- Emap Healthcare
The author look at the situation of the over-65s who suffer from depression, how they are often neglected and face unmet need. The article also briefly highlights initiatives in the NHS that aim to tackle these problems.
Grouchy old men?
- Author:
- WILLIAMSON Toby
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 13(1), March 2009, pp.19-22.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article describes Grouchy Old Men?, a Mental Health Foundation project that aims to raise awareness of the emotional health and mental well-being needs of older men. It is also challenging perceptions of who older men are and how they relate to the world. The project involves several activities including: developing a learning and information exchange network for organisations with an interest in older men's mental health; producing a "how to" guide to developing services that engage isolated older men; working with organisations such as Age Concern to pilot new approaches to communicating, engaging and working with older men with mental health needs. It concludes that age, poorly designed information and inaccessible services should not prevent older men from getting support for their emotional health and well-being when they need it.
Working with older people from black and minority ethnic groups who have depression
- Authors:
- MANTHORPE Jill, MORIARTY Jo
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing, 10(1), March 2009, pp.24-31.
- Publisher:
- Pier Professional
- Place of publication:
- Brighton
Despite the growing evidence base about depression and anxiety and its application to service settings and practice, there is still a shortage of practice examples about what works and for whom. This is particularly true of specialist groups, such as people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds. This article discusses policy and legislative encouragements to think about equality of access and diversity issues in mental health services and wider mental health promotion activities. It analyses recent research and policy documents in the context of demographic change and practice. It argues that the context of personalisation in England may provide new opportunities to consider what older people will find most acceptable and effective in meeting their needs, but notes the challenges that this will bring to community-based organisations and specialist services.
This is a job for social care
- Author:
- HUNTER Mark
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 18.9.08, 2008, pp.30-31.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Depression among older people often goes untreated. Reasons for poor treatment include low referral rate, age discrimination within services, the separation of mental health services for adults and older people, and the increasing medicalisation of mental health services. The author highlights social care's role in restabilising older people's links with communities and improving their access to support services.
Configuration of services used by depressed older adults
- Authors:
- CHOI S., MORROW-HOWELL N., PROCTOR E.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 10(3), May 2006, pp.240-249.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
As a more comprehensive service use measure, this study identifies service use configurations based on the use of 17 services. Factors associated with service use configurations are examined guided by the Andersen and Network Episode models. Self-report data at admission and at six-month follow-up were collected, along with information from medical charts among 140 older adults hospitalized for major depression. The data document service access and levels of use in three sectors of care (psychiatric, medical, and psychosocial services) and assess need, predisposing, enabling, and social network factors associated with use. Three distinct service use configurations were identified with cluster analysis: (1) home care users; (2) moderate users of outpatient mental health services; and (3) heavy users of all formal services. Rather than psychiatric needs, post-acute service use was related to: (1) concurrent physical conditions; (2) the availability of formal and informal services; and (3) financial stability. No difference in psychiatric outcomes was found by service use configuration. It is important to understand service use patterns as a measure of service use, given the co-occurring medical, psychiatric, and psychosocial conditions of older adults and corresponding needs in multiple sectors of care.
Respect your elders
- Author:
- LITTLE William
- Journal article citation:
- Health Service Journal, 17.03.05, 2005, pp.24-26.
- Publisher:
- Emap Healthcare
Reports how, despite promises from the Department of Health, mental health services for older people are still not good enough. Discusses the problems for older people in accessing services.
Service needs of depressed older adults following acute psychiatric care
- Authors:
- MORROW-HOWELL N.L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 4(4), November 2000, pp.330-338.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Older persons with mental disorder need mental health services, but the extent to which they have service needs in other domains (medical, functional and psychosocial) is not established, although these needs may compromise the attainment of psychiatric outcomes. This study focuses on 169 older adults hospitalised for depression and documents their post-acute service needs in four domains: psychiatric, medical, functional and psychosocial. Eighty-four per cent needed assistance with routine activities. Nearly two-thirds were experiencing one or more psychosocial or environmental problems that warranted intervention. Older adults admitted to acute care for depression have high levels of service needs stemming from multiple domains: psychiatric, medical, functional and psychosocial. This biopsychosocial model suggests that needs in each domain should be identified and addressed if desired psychiatric outcomes are to be attained.