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Service provision for older people with mental health problems in a rural area of Australia
- Authors:
- MUIR-COCHRANE Eimear, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 18(6), 2014, pp.759-766.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Unmet mental health care needs of older people (aged 65 and over) have been identified as a serious problem internationally, particularly in rural areas. In this study the authors explored the views of health and social care providers of the barriers to effective mental health care for older people in a rural region in Australia.Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 participants from 13 organisations providing care and support to older people in a rural region of Australia. A framework analysis approach was used to thematically analyse the data.Results: Two main themes were identified: ‘Recognising the Problem’ and ‘Service Availability and Access’. In particular the participants identified the impact of the attitudes of older people and health professionals, as well as service inadequacies and gaps in services, on the provision of mental health care to older people in a rural region.Conclusion: This study supports previous work on intrinsic and extrinsic barriers to older people with mental health problems accessing mental health services. The study also offers new insight into the difficulties that arise from the separation of physical and mental health systems for older people with multiple needs, and the impact of living in a rural region on unmet mental health care needs of older people. (Publisher abstract)
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.
Is mental health economics important in geriatric psychiatry in developing countries?
- Authors:
- SHAH Ajit, MURTHY Srinivasa, SUH Guh-Kee
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 17(8), August 2002, pp.758-764.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article found that there were no health economic studies in geriatric psychiatry from developing countries against a background of many such studies in developed countries. There were a greater number of health economic studies in other areas of psychiatry in developing countries. Several reasons for the paucity of such studies, the feasibility of undertaking these studies and their significance are discussed.Mental health economic studies in geriatric psychiatry in developing countries are feasible, realistic and may well have an important part to play in the allocation of resources. Also, data sets necessary for such studies are emerging from many developing countries.
Psychosocial factors associated with the use/non-use of mental health services by primary carers of individuals with dementia
- Authors:
- MOCKLER Darren, RIORDAN John, MURPHY Marian
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 13(5), May 1998, pp.310-314.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Investigates psychosocial factors associated with the use/non-use of services by primary carers of people with dementia. Considers health, stress, family and social support, years of caring, age of carers and person with dementia, gender and level of behavioural disturbance presented by the person with dementia. The findings indicated that primary carers in the non-user service group scored significantly higher on a measure estimating an individual's ability to deal with stressful situations. The individual's ability to deal with caring responsibilities was associated with a reduction in the level of diagnosable psychiatric disorder and the non-use of services. A significant inverse association between health, stress and individual ability to deal with stressful situations was also found when the two carer groups were combined.
Minds that matter: understanding mental health in later life
- Authors:
- SEAMAN Emma, STAPLETON Meg, MAWHINNEY Phil
- Publisher:
- Independent Age
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 37
- Place of publication:
- London
This report describes the range of challenges that affect people’s mental health in later life, as well as the things that protect and bolster it; highlights the positive and negative experiences people have when trying to access mental health support, including from GPs, therapists and counsellors; and demonstrate the key areas where change is needed and makes recommendations for action. The report focuses on common mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, rather than more complex conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. It also looks at common challenges that affect many people’s mental wellbeing, including grief, loneliness, caring responsibilities and living with long-term physical health conditions. It examines the harm these can cause to people’s mental wellbeing, even if that doesn’t necessarily lead to them having a diagnosable mental health condition. The report does not focus on issues around dementia, cognitive illness or mental capacity. The report finds that only 1 in 8 (12%) people aged 65+ believe that ‘older people are given the support they need to manage their mental health’. For many people, speaking to their GP was their first step – this stresses the importance of building up a relationship of trust with doctors, alongside the challenges of getting an appointment quickly and the frustration of only being offered limited treatment options. People shared their positive experiences of talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy or counselling, and how this treatment had improved their lives. However, the research also heard about long waiting times, a lack of choice in the type of therapy offered, and the cost people faced for private therapy when they felt they had no option but to pay for this support. (Edited publisher abstract)
Covid-19: understanding inequalities in mental health during the pandemic
- Authors:
- ALLWOOD Louis, BELL Andy
- Publisher:
- Centre for Mental Health
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 18
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing paper explores the mental health inequalities that are associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. It finds that the virus and the lockdown are putting greater pressure on groups and communities whose mental health was already poorer and more precarious. These include people living with mental health problems, whose access to services has been interrupted; people who live with both mental health problems and long term physical conditions that put them at greater risk of the virus; older adults who are both susceptible to the virus themselves and much more likely than others to lose partners and peers; women and children exposed to trauma and violence at home during lockdown; and people from the ethnic groups where the prevalence of COVID-19 has been highest and outcomes have been the worst, notably people from Black British, Black African, Bangladeshi and Pakistani backgrounds. The paper calls on the Government to take urgent action to address race inequality in mental health, including the urgent need for funding for organisations working in communities that have been affected most deeply by the pandemic. It calls for action to ensure people with mental health problems have access to food and medicine as well as continued financial safety-nets for those at greatest risk from the virus. And it calls for longer term action, including to build on the positive steps that have already been taken to prevent homelessness and improve the benefits system. (Edited publisher abstract)
‘Getting to Know Me’: the development and evaluation of a training programme for enhancing skills in the care of people with dementia in general hospital settings
- Authors:
- ELVISH Ruth, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 18,(4) 2014, pp.481-488.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objective: The aims of the study were to report on the development and evaluation of a staff training intervention in dementia care designed for use in the general hospital setting: the ‘Getting to Know Me’ training programme. The study also aimed to undertake initial psychometric analysis on two new outcome scales designed to measure knowledge and confidence in dementia care.Methods: The study comprised two phases. The first phase comprised the design of two questionnaires which are shared within this paper: Confidence in Dementia (CODE) Scale and Knowledge in Dementia (KIDE) Scale. In phase two, staff undertook the ‘Getting to Know Me’ training programme (n = 71). The impact of the programme was evaluated using a pre–post design which explored: (1) changes in confidence in dementia; (2) changes in knowledge in dementia; and (3) changes in beliefs about challenging behaviour.Results: The psychometric properties of the CODE and KIDE scales are reported. Statistically significant change was identified pre–post training on all outcome measures. Clinically meaningful change was demonstrated on the CODE scale.Conclusions: The ‘Getting to Know Me’ programme was well received and had a significant impact on staff knowledge and confidence. The auhtors findings add to a growing evidence base which will be strengthened by further robust studies, the exploration of the impact of staff training on direct patient outcomes, and further identification of ways in which to transfer principles of care from specialist dementia environments into general hospital settings. (Edited publisher abstract)
Improving partnerships with families and carers in in-patient mental health services for older people: a staff training programme and family liaison service
- Authors:
- STANBRIDGE Roger I., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Family Therapy, 35(2), 2013, p.176–197.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
In spite of policies advocating the involvement of families in the care of mental health service users in the UK, there are few examples of initiatives to develop staff confidence and skills in partnership working. This article describes a whole team training initiative and family liaison service to promote family inclusive working on in-patient wards for older people in Somerset. A three-day staff-training programme is described and training outcomes are reported. Staff report a substantial increase in confidence and family meetings held. A pre-and post- training case note audit shows increased consideration of the needs of families. To further increase face to face meetings with families a family liaison service has been established, whereby a staff member with systemic family therapy training joins ward staff to hold family meetings as part of the assessment/admission process. Evaluation of this service has shown it to be effective with positive feedback from families and staff. (Publisher abstract)
Cognitive behavioural psychotherapy: a comparison between younger and older adults in two inner city mental health teams
- Authors:
- WALKER D. A., CLARKE M.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 5(2), May 2001, pp.197-199.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
There is little evidence about the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in the older adult population. Research highlights that the preferred treatment for this group appears to be medication. This article compares an older adult mental health service with a younger adult service in terms of range of referrals, outcomes, attendance rates and length of time in therapy. The range of disorders referred was a wide mix of anxiety disorders and depression. There were no significant differences in therapy outcomes apart from home adjustment measures where older adults showed greater improvement. Younger adults showed significantly higher rates of non-attendance and had higher drop-out rates. Possible reasons for this are discussed. CBT appeared effective in both age groups, however older adults were treated more quickly due to a higher attendance rate.
Clubbing around the Wight
- Authors:
- COLE Andrew, NICHOLLS Ralph
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Care, 3(1), September 1999, pp.25-27.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
This article describes the Isle of Wight's unique travelling memory club for older people with organic mental illness.