RaiCare Health Specialist

Counselling for  Senior Adults and their Families
 We understand that psychological and behavioural interventions are better options for older people suffering from depression, anxiety or even Dementia (source: Australian Psychological Society - Please refer to the link at the bottom of this profile for further information).

Conditions such as Depression are serious for people of all ages, but for older people depression is often associated with other co-morbid conditions, such as physical disability, dementia and anxiety that exacerbate the distress experienced by older people and their carers.  

The literature on treating older people informs us that they can not only benefit from psychotherapy, but in some situations may show better outcomes than their younger counterparts. (Hartman-Stein 2005).

We can help them to settle in. We have Geriatricians and Psycho-Geriatricians linked to our service if they are required.

Enhancing the quality of life for older adults is important to us. We also recognise that providing support to carers can often be an essential part of our service.

Therefore, interventions with carers involve a one-on-one psychotherapeutic approach, education and training to enhance coping abilities and help the carers to develop practical skills. Within a ‘systems’ perspective we provide information about different organisations, respite, transport and financial assistance to enable the carer to continue providing care for their loved ones.

We provide a variety of services:

• In Home

• In RACF

• Providing behavioural and cognitive therapy for grief and loss, adjustment to recent diagnosis, depression, anxiety, and change in behaviour due to dementia

Our Aim is to :

• Improve the quality of life and care for aged people with or without dementia and their carers

• Support residents and their families in residential aged care in improving care outcomes with or without dementia and related behaviours

• Ensure care services for people are responsive to their individual and diverse needs and circumstances

• Conduct a psycho-social assessment of the person
• Provide care planning, case conferences and short term case management.

References:
Hartman-Stein, P.E  (2005). ‘An impressive step in finding an evidence based psychotherapies for geriatric depression’.
Heason, S. (2005). ‘Talking therapy as a psychological intervention for people with dementia: a literature review. PSIGE Newsletter, British Psychological Society.
Handbook of Behavioural & Cognitive Therapies with Older Adults, Edited by Dolores Gallager-Thomps, Ann M. Steffen, Larry W.Thompson.
Cognitive behaviour therapy with older people, intervention for those with and without dementia, Ian Andrew James.