The BAN-Dep Trial
Professional Education to Aged Care (PEAC)
All staff (non-clinical, clinical and allied health) at facilities that are participating in the BAN-Dep study are invited to complete beyondblue's Professional Education to Aged Care (PEAC) e-learning program. This program aims to improve the detection and management of anxiety and depression experienced by older adults in aged care settings.
The PEAC consists of 5-6 modules (module 5 is for clinical staff specifically) that you can complete at your own pace. Click the 'Save and Return Later' at the bottom of the screen at any time and complete the PEAC over as many sessions as you need.
Note that if you 'Save and Return Later' you will be given a Return Code to enter in when you return - this is like a password to return to where you left off. Make sure you note down the code before closing the window.
At any time, if you have difficulties or queries, you can email BAN-DepTrial@unimelb.edu.au
Anxiety and depression. An information booklet.
Anxiety and depression. An information booklet provides information about anxiety and depression, including what the conditions are, common symptoms and how to recognise them, how to get support for yourself or for someone you know and how to stay well.
The beyondblue website has lots of resources about anxiety and depression. You can learn about anxiety and depression, and find out about recovery and staying well. It also includes videos of people sharing their experiences of anxiety and/or depression.
This section of the beyondblue website gives an overview of anxiety. Find out about types of anxiety, what causes anxiety and signs and symptoms. You can also watch a video about the experience of anxiety and download a factsheet.
Find out the facts about depression, including what it is and about signs and symptoms.
A guide to what works for anxiety disorders
A guide to what works for depression
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Beyond Blue Depression Monitor Independent findings from 2004 to 2012
Anxiety and depression in older people. An information booklet.
Anxiety and depression in older people. An information booklet provides information about anxiety and depression for older people, their families and friends. It includes positive strategies for supporting older people to stay mentally healthy.
The beyondblue website – older people
This section of the beyondblue website has lots of resources about anxiety and depression in older people. It includes videos of older people sharing their experiences of anxiety and/or depression.
Scoping study of health professional education and training in older age anxiety and depression
This 2010 scoping study was carried out by the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) and beyondblue. It reviewed health professional education and training in older age depression and anxiety and has eight recommendations.
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Understanding anxiety and depression
Although this beyondblue booklet isn't specific to older people it gives a good overview about what depression and anxiety are.
beyondblue's Grief and loss fact sheet
Information about grief and loss and how to distinguish between grief, loss and depression.
What works to promote emotional wellbeing in older people booklet
This booklet was designed for staff working in community or residential aged care services. It covers a range of interventions that can be used to promote emotional wellbeing or to help people with anxiety or depression. These interventions are grouped by type, for example, physical activity interventions, and interventions to do with music and the arts.
A collection of personal stories from older Australians about what they do to promote their own mental health.
beyondblue's Anxiety, depression and chronic illness fact sheet
beyondblue's Anxiety, depression and chronic illness fact sheet outlines the impact of chronic illnesses. It also explores the links between anxiety, depression and chronic physical illness.
beyondblue's Dementia, anxiety and depression fact sheet
Dementia, anxiety and depression can occur separately or together. Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish between each condition as the signs and symptoms of each are similar. beyondblue's Dementia, anxiety and depression fact sheet provides information about all three conditions and the relationship between them.
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Depression in older age: A scoping study
Haralambous, B., Lin, X., Dow, B., Jones, C. Tinney, J. & Bryant, C.(2009). Depression in older age: A scoping study. Melbourne: National.
This study confirmed the prevalence rate for depression in resisdential and community settings. It also identified the gaps in knowledge around diagnosis and treatment of depression and anxiety in older people. This study is recommended reading.
Tom Kitwood – fundamental emotional needs
Tom Kitwood introduced the concept of 'personhood' (status bestowed on one human being by others) and the impact care can have on an older person's sense of personhood. He also introduced the concept of fundamental emotional needs and the importance of meeting these needs for everyone's mental health and wellbeing. 'Dementia Reconsidered' by Tom Kitwood is a recommended but optional text for this course. You may wish to purchase a copy.
Kitwood, T. (1997) Dementia Reconsidered. Open University Press
Why are we talking about suicide? You might be interested in the link below (Everymind) as well as accessing these journal articles through an academic library:
Khan, A., Leventhal R., Khan S., & Brown W. (2002) Suicide risk in patients with anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis of the FDA database. Journal of Affective Disorders, 68, 183 - 190
Sareen, J., Cox, B., Afifi, T., de Graaf, R., Asmundson, G., ten Have, & Stein, M. (2005) Anxiety Disorders and Risk for Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts. American Medical Association, 1249 - 1257
Everymind - Language and Suicide
Australian Psychological Society (APS)
The APS (the largest professional association for psychologists in Australia) provides resources on topics such as depression and suicide.
This website provides specific information and resources relating to older people and suicide. It does include the warning signs relating to older people and provides examples and quotes. It also provide support to people to have the conversation with someone they are concerned about and links to other resources.
This PDF outlines the structured approach and steps care worker Helen takes with clients she thinks may be suicidal.
beyondblue - safety plan template
Information on safety plans and how to develop one.
Policies and procedures relating to suicidal behaviour – an aged care example
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Great resource to guide conversations about suicide. It can be a difficult conversation to ask someone about suicide. This website provides practical tips and assists you to have a conversation with a person you are concerned about.
Suicide reporting and statistics
Information on statistics around suicide from a Senate Inquiry into Suicide in Australia.
Fifth National Mental Health Commission - National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan
A guide to what works for depression
A guide to what works for anxiety
This beyondblue booklet gives older people ideas about how they can become more socially connected.
What works to promote emotional wellbeing in older people
This booklet, developed for aged care workers, rates the effectiveness of interventions for improving the well-being of older people and helping older people with anxiety and depression. It includes case studies for how these interventions can be implemented in residential or community care settings.
Brief Assessment Schedule Depression Cards (BASDC)
The BASDEC system is often used with medically ill older hospitalised patients and they choose their response by selecting a card rather than verbally responding. Sourcing the cards is problematic which makes using this tool difficult.
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
The short form English version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).
Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI)
This website provides information about the GAI and how it was developed. You need to buy a licence to use the tool. This website also includes available translated versions of the GAI.
An online version of the K-10 available on the beyondblue website.
Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD)
Includes the Cornell Scale as well as administration and scoring guidelines.
Culturally adapted screening tools
beyondblue commissioned research to culturally adapt the GDS and GAI for older Chinese Australians. Support documents and links to the tools are available from the beyondblue website. Please note the culturally adapted GAI is free.
Screening tools for CALD people
Tips for clinicians when screening older people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
Australian Government Department of Health resources for minimising the inappropriate use of restraint in aged care.
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This video features Dr Sunil Bhar, talking about the different types of reminiscence and how they can be implemented community aged care settings to boost clients' emotional wellbeing and to help those with anxiety and depression.
beyondblue commissioned this 2010 scoping study (carried out by the National Ageing Research Institute NARI) to review health professional education and training in older age depression and anxiety. It includes eight recommendations.
Use this PDF checklist to review screening results.
Find digital mental health resources from trusted service providers in place.
Mentally healthy workplaces work better for everyone, and Heads Up is about giving individuals and businesses free tools and resources to take action.
The MindSpot Clinic is a free service for Australian adults with stress, worry, anxiety, low mood or depression. They provide mental health Screening Assessments, Treatment Courses and help people find local services that can help.
Aged Care Institute – Workers need support managing emotions
A University of Sydney study found that workers requiring high levels of emotional labour are more often absent, require more treatment for stress-related disorders and change jobs more frequently than other workers.
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A mindfulness app that includes meditations to assist you to become more present.