Resources

Thoughts about death and self-harm are not uncommon in older adulthood, especially in the later years of life. Risk factors for suicide later in life include mental health disorders, physical illness and functional or cognitive decline. This resource from ARIIA is a short easy-to-read summary of the research evidence.

Anxiety and depression are common in residential aged care yet often remain undetected. Several screening tools are available for detecting signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression in older adults in residential aged care. This resource from ARIIA is a short easy-to-read summary of the research evidence.

Reminiscence approaches such as reminiscence, life review, and life review therapy, demonstrate a mixed but overall positive influence on the mental health and wellbeing of older adults. This resource from ARIIA is a short easy-to-read summary of the research evidence.

Physical activity is critical for the mental health of people over 65 years of age. This resource from ARIIA is a short easy-to-read summary of the research evidence.

Mental health diagnoses increase the risk of potentially inappropriate medications in residential aged care, especially in the form of antidepressants. This resource from ARIIA is a short easy-to-read summary of the research evidence.

Psychological approaches provide people with the opportunity to discuss their thoughts and feelings with a trained professional to assist them with understanding and coping with their daily life or negative events. This resource from ARIIA is a short easy-to-read summary of the research evidence.

Depression is markedly higher among people living in residential aged care compared to those living in the community. This resource from ARIIA is a short easy-to-read summary of the research evidence.

Being able to drive is strongly related to feelings of independence and life satisfaction in older adulthood. Evidence shows that ceasing to drive is consistently associated with depressive symptoms. This resource from ARIIA is a short easy-to-read summary of the research evidence.

Dr Deborah Brooks and colleagues invite interested aged care residents, family/care partners, and aged care staff to participate in a co-design project to develop MHICare Tool – a tool for monitoring and promoting the mental health of people with dementia living in residential aged care.

In Australia, approximately 10 per cent of older adults have anxiety. Anxiety disorders are especially prevalent among people living in residential aged care. This resource from ARIIA is a short easy-to-read summary of the research evidence.