Tackling anxiety and depression
A Qld division of general practice has relesaed a report outlining how targeted training and interventions can improve residents’ mental health.
Staff training in mental health issues and certain targeted interventions can alleviate depression and anxiety among aged care residents, according to a division of general practice in Queensland.
GPpartners conducted a study across nine facilities in Brisbane’s north to evaluate a range of supports for new residents.
The project had three components: a training program for staff in recognising symptoms of depression; an intervention program for new residents; and support groups for families of new residents.
While there was no statistically significant decrease in the levels of depression and agitation between the intervention and control groups, qualitative feedback from residents and staff revealed a number of positive outcomes.
“Part of the reason for the lack of statistically relevant data was that we had a small sample size [of just 50 residents] and some of the people at baseline came in with some very significant conditions,” said lead researcher, Franceska Jordan.
One of the major resident interventions in the study was the key worker, a nominated staff member who helped residents maintain their independence while settling into a new home.
Residents also had the opportunity to share their stories with the key worker in a Life Story Book.
And key workers were encouraged to spend half an hour, three times a week, ‘walking and talking’ with their nominated residents.
Three quarters of the residents said they found the time with their key workers “enjoyable” or “very enjoyable”.
“These three very simple interventions are effective in assisting people to settle and they help with depression and anxiety,” said Ms Jordan.
“It’s really important to have those key workers. It gives the residents consistency of staff and provides an advocate for them.”
However staff members said they did not always have enough time to carry out these interventions.
Eight family members took part in the support group activity coordinated by Carers Queensland.
“What came out of that was that people actually need support before their relative or loved one goes into residential care,” said Ms Jordan.
“Support groups are essential and we can really see their value. I actually have the sense that there would be [fewer] complaints if issues and concerns were addressed in this way.”
The aged care medical director for GPpartners, Dr Richard Kidd, said the report highlighted the great benefit that the interventions could bring to this most vulnerable group of patients.
“Making psychological services available to aged care facilities, and putting appropriate processes in place to up-skill personal carers in mental health support, enables the earlier identification of anxiety disorder and depression in new residents,” he said.
