getting the message out to older people and their carers · • 34% in residential aged care •...

Getting the message out to older people and their carers

Sue Gherdovich COTA National Policy Forum

Canberra, May 2012

© Beyond Blue Ltd www.beyondblue.org.au

Outline of presentation

1. What we know about depression and anxiety in older people

2. Key beyondblue activities relating to older people

3. Gaps & areas for future action


It can be a beautiful day, I can be meeting a friend.

we may be going to something I am looking forward to and it’s still a very bleak world so

there doesn’t seem to be a reason for it and I think it’s that lack of explanation that is so

difficult.

(Joan, 82 years)


I felt very tense, I was not sleeping and I thought I

was dying sometimes. (Jack – 77 years old)

I was stuck in bed, I couldn’t decide what to wear. (Arthur - 71 years old)


1. What we know about depression & anxiety in older people

• 10-15% older people affected by depression

• 34% in residential aged care

• 45% in hospital setting

• Greater risks for older Indigenous people and people of CALD background

• Anxiety more prevalent.

(National Ageing Research Institute (2009), Depression in older age: a scoping study.)


1. What we know (cont) – stigma

20% older people agree ‘all older people get depressed …. It’s a normal part of ageing’

Nearly 60% think embarrassing to consult a GP

Almost 40% afraid their GP won’t take it seriously

‘Depressed people should keep it to themselves’; ‘put on a brave face and push on’.


Chronic illness and depression

• Depression causes worse outcomes for chronic illnesses

• Depression a risk factor for: – Heart disease – Stroke – Diabetes

• Many illnesses associated with increased risk to

depression Ref: Clarke D, Currie K. Depression, anxiety and their relationship with chronic diseases: a

review of the epidemiology, risk and treatment evidence. MJA 2009; 190: S54-60


1. National awareness campaign

Campaign commenced in October 2011

print and radio ads

Seniors’ festivals around Australia

Further dissemination in 2012.

beyond maturityblues


2. beyond maturityblues program

It was great to be able to speak with friends

and Brian (Peer Educator) about my concerns – I have never spoken of these

issues prior to today. Thank you very much.

Participant Women’s Support Group Qld 22 Feb 2012


beyond maturityblues feedback

Anxiety has been creeping into my life. Your

address came just in time for me. Participant Retirement Village Castle Hill NSW 10 Feb 2012


beyond maturityblues feedback

I was not looking forward to this session however I found it most interesting and absorbing. I thought it would make me

feel down and depressed but had quite the opposite effect.

Participant Parkinson’s Support Group QLD

8 Mar 2012


beyond maturityblues

• Directly supports beyondblue’s awareness-raising work

• Extends our networks/reach

• Issues highlighted get fed into policy and advocacy work

• Excellent way to disseminate resources and information (95,000 items annually)


3. Professional education to aged care

A. Workshops for staff in residential care sector – National delivery by licensees – & community care sector

B. Accredited aged care education

– Cert III & IV in Aged Care & Home and Community Care


4. The Shed Online

• An online social community for men

• Recreates “real life” Men Sheds

• Founded by beyondblue, Movember and the

Australian Men’s Shed Association

• Over 3,500 members, over 140,000 visits.

• Majority of members males 55+


3. Areas for future action

1. More research needed a. older CALD people, b. older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

people c. Older men – suicide; better service

provision? d. Protective factors e. Social isolation f. Retirement


3. Areas for future action

2. Better mental health treatment for older

people

a. Mental health care integrated with physical health care

b. Aged care interface with primary health care c. Access to psychological services d. More specialist mental health services.

Better mental health in older people = better overall wellbeing

getting the message out to older people and their carers · • 34% in residential aged care •...

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