National Mental Health Webinar Series
Improving mental health for older people in residential aged care services
Aged care staff know the need for better mental health care for their residents. Older people in residential aged care services have a high prevalence of mental health disorders such as depression (affects at least 40 per cent of residents) and anxiety.
The rates of other mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorders, psychosis, autism spectrum disorder and personality disorders are similar to those found in community dwellers.
Suicide, sexual violence and physical assault between residents are issues related to mental health and/or cognitive impairment that are becoming more visible and a challenge to prevent and manage.
A significant clinical gap beyond the control of residential aged care staff, is the limited access and availability of mental health professionals for managing complex and major mental health conditions. Australia’s residential aged care services continue to operate under intense scrutiny while awaiting the reforms to address the gaps in care identified by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
This series of national webinars addresses five areas for improving mental health for older people in residential aged care.
Hear from experienced leaders in the mental health field
Developed by Professor Joseph Ibrahim with other experts in the area, the National Mental Health Webinar Series is presented as a joint collaboration between Uniting AgeWell; the Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care (ACEBAC), La Trobe University; Binational Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age, the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne; School of Psychiatry, University New South Wales; Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing UNSW; Dementia Support Australia; Australian Association of Gerontology; Australian Disease Management Association; and the Residential Aged Care Communiqué.
The webinars will be run by experienced leaders in the mental health field in aged care. Each webinar will be facilitated by Professor Joseph Ibrahim and include a clinical case presentation, a keynote speaker and an interactive panel discussion.
Who should attend
Designed for Aged Care Staff, Nurses, Managers, Allied Health Professionals and Medical Practitioners.
Overview of the 2024 National Mental Health Webinar Series
| Date | Topic | Keynote speaker |
|---|---|---|
| March 6: 1pm – 2pm | Accessing Mental Health Services for Older People | Dr Terry Chong Psychiatrist and Clinician Researcher, Department of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne |
| May 8: 1pm – 2pm | Wellness and social inclusion | Prof Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh Director, Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care (ACEBAC) |
| July 3: 1pm – 2pm | Depression recognition and management | Scientia Prof Henry Brodaty AO Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, University of New South Wales |
| September 4: 1pm – 2pm | Mental health presentations in persons with dementia | Associate Prof Stephen Macfarlane Head of Clinical Services, The Dementia Centre, HammondCare |
| November 13: 1pm – 2pm | Mental Health Crises: suicide and other emergencies | Prof Brian Draper AM Conjoint Professor, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales |
How to register for the National Mental Health Webinar Series
Registration is free.
Save the 2024 webinar dates in your calendar and register for the 8 May webinar here:
https://rb.gy/zt2waz
Further Information
Episode One (March 6) [PDF 465KB]
Episode Two (May 8) [PDF 447KB]
Enquiries
Professor Joseph Ibrahim
Australian Centre for Evidence Based Aged Care (ACEBAC), La Trobe University
E: J.Ibrahim@latrobe.edu.au