Happy staff make happier residents

An expert on older people’s mental health says BPSD can be ameliorated by addressing systemic and staffing isues.

Aged care facilities can significantly reduce the impact of the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia by addressing systemic and staffing issues, according to an expert in older people’s mental health.

The coordinator of Southern Area Health Service’s aged mental health program, Dr Mike Bird says the good news is that these variables can be managed and ameliorated.

Speaking at the Positive Living in Aged Care seminar at Sydney’s Luna Park, Dr Bird said there was much potential for changing structural issues, such as staffing ratios and culture, and staff variables, like ‘mental health literacy’ and education.

“The way that the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia are interpreted has more to do with the facility and the staff than the person themselves,” he said.

“And there is enormous scope top try and address those issues.”

He added that it was possible to affect the prevalence of mental illness in aged care by caring for staff members and providing them with adequate training and support.

Last year Dr Bird conducted a study based on focus groups of dementia care workers in three countries.

The staff members were asked to talk about the aspects of their work which caused them stress and in all three countries, they reported that it was the first time they had been asked that question.

“We can’t hope to ameliorate staff stress unless we understand its causes,” Dr Bird said. “And that will differ from staff member to staff member.”

The PLAC project was established by NSW Health’s Older People’s Mental Health Working Group and is jointly coordinated by the Aged and Community Services Association of NSW & ACT (ACS) and Aged Care Association Australia – NSW.

Tags: bpsd, education, mental-health, staffing,

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