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Does the length of institutionalization matter? Longitudinal follow-up of persons with severe mental illness 65 years and older: shorter-stay versus longer-stay
- Authors:
- FINKEL Deborah, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 36(8), 2021, pp.1223-1230.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objectives: As part of the process of de-institutionalization in the Swedish mental healthcare system, a reform was implemented in 1995, moving the responsibility for services and social support for people with severe mental illness (SMI) from the regional level to the municipalities. In many ways, older people with SMI were neglected in this changing landscape of psychiatric care. The aim of this study is to investigate functional levels, living conditions, need of support in daily life, and how these aspects changed over time for older people with SMI. Methods: In this study we used data from surveys collected in 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2011 and data from national registers. A group of older adults with severe persistent mental illness (SMI-O:P) was identified and divided into those who experienced shorter stays (less than 3 years) in a mental hospital (N = 118) and longer stays (N = 117). Results: After correcting for longitudinal changes with age, the longer-stay group was more likely than the shorter-stay group to experience functional difficulties and as a result, were more likely to have experienced ‘re-institutionalization’ to another care setting, as opposed to living independently. Conclusions: The length of mental illness hospitalization has significant effects on the living conditions of older people with SMI and their ability to participate in social life. (Edited publisher abstract)
Peer support and peer support workers in older people’s mental health
- Authors:
- WILLIAMSON Toby, DURCAN Graham
- Publisher:
- Centre for Mental Health
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 12
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing explores the evidence, opportunities and issues relating to peer support models for older people with mental health problems There is very limited evidence on what works and the best models for older people’s mental health peer support. While narrowly defined examples of peer support within mental health services are thin on the ground among people in later life, there is some evidence that peer support benefits people with dementia and poor mental health. Combatting social isolation, and cognitive engagement in particular, seem to be features of ‘positive’ peer support that can prevent or slow down either depression or dementia. Using a looser definition of peer support that involves befriending, volunteering, social groups and activities (often for older people with multiple morbidities) may make it harder to ‘manualise’ peer support, but it has a number of benefits. These include the existence of some well-developed and evaluated models, being accessible to a wide group of older people, and being effective both in preventing poor mental health and improving the wellbeing of older people with mental health problems. (Edited publisher abstract)
Suicide ideation in older adults: relationship to mental health problems and service use
- Authors:
- CORNA Laurie M., CAIRNEY John, STREINER David L.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 50(6), December 2010, pp.785-797.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of suicide ideation among community-dwelling older adults and the relationship between suicide ideation, major psychiatric disorder, and mental health service use. Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey 1.2: Mental Health and Well-being (CCHS 1.2) for all adults aged 55 years and over was used to estimate the prevalence of suicide ideation and the prevalence of major psychiatric disorder and service use among ideators versus nonideators. Using multivariate models, the study considered the sociodemographic, social, and mental health correlates of suicide ideation and mental health care use. The results showed that more than 2% of older adults reported suicide ideation in the past year and more than two thirds of these respondents did not meet the criteria for any of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders assessed in the CCHS 1.2. In multivariate models, being male, younger, or widowed, reporting lower social support and higher psychological distress increased the likelihood of suicide ideation. More than 50% of the respondents who reported suicidal thoughts did not access any type of mental health care use. The article concludes that, although suicide ideation is associated with depression and anxiety disorders, many older adults with suicidal thoughts do not meet the criteria for these clinical disorders.
Purchasing power: getting the best for older people
- Authors:
- MANTHORPE Jill, ILIFFE Steve
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, November 2008, pp.26-29.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
The authors discuss some of the challenges facing commissioners who are purchasing mental health services for older people. They briefly highlight some of the main complexities which include: the complexity of older people's identities; the make up of workforces; the difficult nature of work with older people; and the multiple agencies involved in working with older people. It is argued that consistent application of a long-term strategy, which allows the accumulation of small changes across agencies and disciplines, is likely to be the key to success. It sets out the issues that need to be addressed, the pitfalls to avoid, and examines a series of objectives for commissioners.
Mental health in later life, a neglected area of policy and research allocation: summary of the UK Inquiry into Mental Health in Later Life
- Authors:
- HURST Philip, MINTER Jane
- Journal article citation:
- Housing Care and Support, 10(3), December 2007, pp.17-20.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article summarises the issues identified in the UK Inquiry report on Mental Health in Later Life. It looks at how the Inquiry undertook its work, how older people with mental health problems are often overlooked and what their views and experiences are of accessing services, what actions are proposed for the housing, health and care sectors, and key issues and recommendations.
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.
A national survey of old age psychiatry services in Wales
- Author:
- NAPIER Alison
- Journal article citation:
- Psychiatric Bulletin, 26(1), January 2002, pp.18-20.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
A postal questionnaire was circulated to all consultants in old age psychiatry in Wales, examining provision of services with reference to the indicative service levels defined by the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Royal College of Physicians. The response rate was 100%. Levels of staffing and resources overall fell well below recommendations and varied widely between services. No association was found between morale or how well population needs were perceived as being met, and the size of the population served.
Sex and drugs and getting old
- Author:
- STANLEY Jo
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Today, 26.3.92, 1992, pp.16-17.
- Publisher:
- British Association of Social Workers
Argues for older women to be included in the debate on mental health services for women.
Development and preliminary testing of a framework for quantifying local service provision for people with dementia
- Authors:
- HUGHES Jane, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 21(3), 2020, pp.193-202.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: It was hypothesised that there were variations in health and social care services available for older people with dementia and their carers, and that measurement of this between localities was possible. The purpose of this paper is to present a framework for examining this. Design/methodology/approach: Using a case study approach, data from national surveys of local authorities providing social care and National Health Services Trusts providing old age mental health services conducted in 2014/2015 in England were used. From these, indicators of variation in services for people with dementia and their carers in different geographical areas were created. Measurement of the presence/absence of each service permitted the creation of a service mix score for each area. Findings: The framework comprised 16 attributes each with indicators describing the characteristics of the organisations providing the services; the skill mix of community mental health teams for older people; and the health care and social care services available in localities. Variation was evident, confirmed by quartile analysis and exemplars, suggesting that older people with dementia and their carers in different localities are likely to experience differences in the range of provision available, particularly social care services. Originality/value: The case study approach used achieved its objectives, and the resultant framework has potential for generalisability and utility, given acceptable ecological validity and discriminant validity in identifying variations in service mix. It could be used in both research and practice. (Edited publisher abstract)
Exploring the advocacy needs of older people with mental health problems in the West Midlands
- Authors:
- BROWN Geraldine, STANDEN Nicola
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 15(1), March 2011, pp.13-18.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The advocacy needs of older people with mental health problems remain a poorly researched area. As such, this paper presents findings from a small study undertaken in partnership with Sandwell Advocacy, a voluntary sector organisation, and researchers from Coventry University in one local authority area in the West Midlands. The study investigated the advocacy needs of people aged 65 years and over with mental health problems and determined the current level of demand or need for advocacy among this user group. Respondents included 147 stakeholders, comprising of service users, carers and service providers. Overall, findings suggested dissatisfaction with the services provided, with 94% of service users not using advocacy services. In conclusion, the authors describe a need for mechanisms to capture advocacy in order to properly inform the commissioning of advocacy within mental health services.