Response to Royal Commission into Aged Care
The Australian Psychological Society (APS) welcomes the Royal Commission into Aged Care and calls for mental healthcare to be a priority on the reform agenda.
Less than one per cent of aged care residents are seen by psychologists as most residents are not able to access Medicare-funded psychology sessions. Yet more than half (54%) have symptoms of depression and suicidal thoughts, occurring at a rate three times that of older adults living in the community.
APS President Anthony Cichello says psychologists are urgently needed to improve the quality of mental health diagnosis, especially untangling depression from early stages of dementia.
He also says behavioural issues are a significant problem in aged care, and that psychologists are needed to train staff about managing challenging behaviours that are often present with dementia.
"Some people suffering dementia can display aggressiveness, be uncooperative and disruptive towards other residents. These behaviours are distressing not only to the individual and their loved ones, but to other residents," says Mr Cichello.
“Managing these challenging behaviours without understanding what triggers and maintains them is very difficult for untrained staff," he says.
Mr Cichello adds that mental health considerations for those in aged care are often complex.
“People are in an unfamiliar space, often have other physical illnesses, and are grieving about losing all that is familiar to them; some may feel that aged care is the last stop before death. It can be very distressing for many reasons,” he says.
Mr Cichello says because of the current lack of access to psychologists in aged care facilities, medical staff caring for residents often have limited options available to them other than medication to manage depression and behaviour issues, yet the side effects of these medications can exacerbate physical and health issues.
He says research has shown that psychological approaches are effective in treating depression and anxiety in older people, and in reducing the incidence of challenging behaviours with the potential to not only improve the quality of life of residents but also to reduce levels of staff stress and staff turnover in aged care facilities.
Mr Cichello says psychologists are the largest mental health workforce in Australia, with just over 29,000 fully registered and practising psychologists.
“The potential for psychology to make a positive contribution to the mental health of older Australians living in residential care is significant. The APS welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Royal Commission,” says Mr Cichello.
For more information, or to arrange an interview call the APS Media team on 03 8662 3358 / 0435 896 444, or email. Find the APS Media team on Twitter: @AustPsych
The APS is the largest professional organisation for psychologists in Australia, representing more than 27,000 members. The APS is committed to advancing psychology as a discipline and profession. It spreads the message that psychologists make a difference to people’s lives, through improving psychological knowledge and community wellbeing.