Physical health assessment
Chapter 15 PHYSICAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT INTRODUCTION As general medical conditions increase sharply in prevalence with advancing age, many people referred to older persons’ mental health services (OPMHS), and many of…
The mental state examination
Chapter 13 THE MENTAL STATE EXAMINATION INTRODUCTION This chapter is devoted to the mental state examination of older people in the community setting. Mental state examination is often referred to…
The therapeutic relationship
Chapter 11 THE THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP INTRODUCTION The therapeutic relationship differs from ordinary human relationships in that its purpose is to allow the diagnosis and treatment of a health problem. It…
Consultation-liaison services to residential aged care facilities
Chapter 10 CONSULTATION–LIAISON SERVICES TO RESIDENTIAL AGED CARE FACILITIES INTRODUCTION Community mental health teams for older people often provide consultation–liaison services to residential aged care facilities (RACFs). A consultation–liaison service…
Consumers and carers
Chapter 9 CONSUMERS AND CARERS INTRODUCTION Older people experience a broad range of mental health problems and contact with specialist mental health services is increasing. This contact brings a desire…
Social issues
Chapter 7 SOCIAL ISSUES INTRODUCTION When exploring the mental health problems of older people, the extent to which they are exacerbated by social issues is as important as what results…
Models of mental healthcare and organisational issues
Chapter 4 MODELS OF MENTAL HEALTHCARE AND ORGANISATIONAL ISSUES INTRODUCTION Although there is evidence for the effectiveness of older persons’ mental health services (OPMHS) (Draper 2000), the most effective components…
Cultural issues
Chapter 6 CULTURAL ISSUES INTRODUCTION An older person’s cultural background has a great influence on many aspects of their mental health. When considering treatment options, it is imperative to consider…
Normal, healthy and successful ageing
Chapter 2 NORMAL, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL AGEING INTRODUCTION This chapter introduces the concept of normal ageing and contrasts it with healthy ageing and successful ageing. Mental health workers regularly encounter unhealthy…
Evidence-based care in the community
Chapter 3 EVIDENCE-BASED CARE IN THE COMMUNITY INTRODUCTION The community mental health worker caring for older people will develop over time a certain pattern to their clinical work. It is…
