Our Healthy Ageing Service Response, delivered by Eastern Health in partnership with St Vincent’s Hospital, will address the holistic needs of older people aged 65+ and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 55+, who are living independently as well as those in residential aged care facilities. Recognising the particular mental health challenges facing older persons, the Healthy Ageing Service Response will entail:
• Identifying people at risk of mental illness
• Providing support and workforce training in mental health to GPs, practice staff, and residential aged care facility staff to drive collaborative team-based care.
• Increasing support to older people with mental illness living in the community or in residential aged care facilities, and their families.
The Healthy Ageing Service Response involves a whole-of-person approach, taking into consideration other support needs including alcohol and drug treatment, suicide prevention, psychosocial support, housing, and physical health.