Resources

A guide to using the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), a tool for assessing the signs and symptoms of major depression in people living with dementia. To be completed by someone that has regular contact with the person.

An article from Australian Prescriber which describes the importance of assessing older people for an anticholinergic burden when taking drugs such as antidepressants and antipsychotics.

Dr Joanna Waloszek of the Elders AT Ease (ELATE) program explains why mental health outreach to residential aged care is so important and what one innovative program is doing to address the mental health concerns of this population group.

A fact sheet from the Healing Foundation providing information for aged care staff to improve services for Stolen Generations survivors.

A continuing professional development webinar from the Mental Health Professionals' Network featuring an interdisciplinary panel discussing how collaborative care may help support the mental health of older LGBTI people. (1 h 10 m)

This booklet was created by Beyond Blue for aged care staff and covers a range of interventions that can be used to promote emotional wellbeing or to help people with anxiety or depression.

This resource from Relationships Australia SA provides questions and activities for people to use to encourage someone in aged care to reminisce about their past experiences. 

The submission by the National Mental Health Commission to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. 

A submission to the Royal Commission from Mental Health Australia that highlights current structural arrangements which impede the provision of timely and appropriate identification and treatment of mental health conditions in older Australians.

When a loved one moves into residential aged care, it's not unusual for there to be a difficult adjustment period. In this ABC article, two experts give their advice on what to do if you suspect your loved one in aged care has depression.