Mental health promotion project for residential aged care facilities
NSW Health has funded a two year health promotion project to recognise residential aged care providers in NSW who are implementing strategies to promote a positive approach to the prevention and management of mental health conditions.
This project has been developed by the NSW Health Older People’s Mental Health Working Group (OPMHWG), and is being managed by Aged & Community Services Association of NSW & ACT in collaboration with Aged Care Association Australia (NSW).
This project aims to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of residents in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) and to promote the sharing of positive strategies within the industry.
It also aims to identify, showcase and promote innovative strategies which have a positive impact on the mental health and wellbeing of residents. A specific objective of the project is to promote awareness and support the interface between mental health specialist services and RACFs.
Award categories
· Category 1: Targeted strategy/ies – to improve outcomes for residents with a mental health diagnosis.
· Category 2: Universal strategy/ies – to promote the mental health and wellbeing of residents by increasing protective factors and reducing the risk of the development of symptoms of a mental health condition. to promote maintenance and/or improvement of the mental health and wellbeing.
· Category 3: Selective strategy/ies – veterans, people from culturally and linguistically of residents with special needs. (Special needs groups may include diverse (CALD) communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) communities).
The Positive Living in Aged Care Award is open to all New South Wales RACFs receiving Commonwealth funding, which are currently operating the project at the time of application.
All applications for awards must be received at ACS by close of business 30 June 2008.
For more information visit www.agedservices.asn.au