Resources for Seniors with Depression The Get Connected Toolkit

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Sponsored by The National Council on the Aging
and CareSource
Healthy Aging Briefing Series
Resources for Seniors with Depression - The Get
Connected Toolkit
WELCOME
This session will begin promptly at 130pm
ESTPlease mute your phonePersonal
introductions are not necessaryThe moderator
will be on the line shortly
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Resources for Seniors with Depression
Get Connected!

• Linking Older Adults With Medication, Alcohol,
  and Mental Health Resources

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Get Connected Toolkit

• A partnership
• The National Council on the Aging
• and
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
  Administration (SAMHSA)
• Administration on Aging (AoA)
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

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Get Connected! Toolkit
Linking Older Adults With Medication, Alcohol,
and Mental Health Resources Order Free SAMHSA
Clearinghouse Item GCKIT 1-800-729-6686,
info_at_health.org http//store.health.org/catalog/pr
oductDetails.aspx?ProductID16523
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Why A Toolkit?

• Almost 20 of older people misuse medications and
  alcohol often unintentionally
• Almost 20 of people 55 experience mental health
  problems that are not a normal part of aging
• Quality of life can be improved
• Prevention and treatment work
• Aging services are needed to connect older adults
  with the medication, alcohol and mental health
  resources they need!

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Get Connected!

• There are Five Steps in the Get Connected Program
• Step 1 Assess Organizational Strengths
  Challenges
• Step 2 Identify Resources
• Step 3 Educate Staff
• Step 4 Educate Older Adults
• Step 5 Plan Future Developments

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Get Connected Toolkit

• Helps Aging Services Providers
• Build health promotion programs
• Offer prevention messages and education
• Provide screening and referral for mental health
  problems and misuse of alcohol and medications

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Get Connected Program Goals

• Help staff and older adults understand substance
  abuse and mental health issues
• Increase staff confidence
• Provide tools and resources
• Educate older adults
• Link older adults to resources

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Toolkit Materials

• Program Coordinators Guide
• Education Curricula
• Video and Brochures
• Fact Sheets and Handouts
• Screening Tools, other Resources
• Promising Practices Guide

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Staff and Older Adult Education Curricula

• Session One It Can Happen to Anyone
• Coping with Life
  Transitions
• Session Two Using Medication Wisely
• Session Three Keeping a Healthy Outlook
• on Life

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Tools to Address Depression and Other Mental
Health Problems
Experiential Training on Keeping a Healthy
Outlook on Life
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Learning Objectives

• Increase awareness that mental health problems
  can be treated and that prevention and treatment
  are effective.
• Increase comfort and confidence discussing
  sensitive issues with older adults.
• Understand what aging services providers can do.

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Myths and Realities

• Myth Feeling sad or depressed is part of
  growing old.
• Reality Depression is common among older
  adults, but it isnt a normal part of aging.

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Myths and Realities

• Myth Older adults suffering from depression or
  anxiety disorders lack inner strength.
• Reality Depression and anxiety disorders
  have many possible causes. Lack of inner
  strength is not one of them.

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Myths and Realities

• Myth The most common sign of depression is
  crying.
• Reality Denial of mental health problems is
  often more common and more predictable than any
  other symptom.

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Myths and Realities

• Myth If an older adult says drinking is his or
  her last pleasure, it is best to allow the person
  to continue to drink.
• Reality Problem drinking seriously affects
  physical health and quality of life.

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Common Mental Disorders

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Cognitive impairments

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Anxiety

• Chest pain or other physical distress
• Chest palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Abdominal stress
• Extreme fears

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Depression

• An empty feeling, ongoing sadness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
• Problems with eating
• Sleep problems, tiredness, lack of energy
• Irritability, feelings of worthlessness
• Trouble focusing, remembering, or making
  decisions

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Depression during Holidays

• Contributing factors
• Being alone or separated from loved ones
• Loss of independence
• Financial limitations
• Failing eyesight (inability to read or write
  personal holiday correspondence)
• Loss of mobility and/or the inability to attend
  religious services.

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Cognitive Impairment

• Forgetting recent events
• Not recognizing familiar people and objects
• Forgetting how to do simple tasks
• Problems communicating
• Aggressive behavior
• Getting lost

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Mental Health Promotion Messages

• You are not alone!
• These feelings are not your fault.
• Treatment does work.
• See a doctor or other professional, the sooner
  the better.

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Check Your Mood

• Screening can help people recognize possible
  problems, encourage them to get help, and prevent
  further health problems.
• Geriatric Depression Scale www.samhsa.gov
  http//pathwayscourses.samhsa.gov/elab/pdfs_elab/e
  lab_supps_pg9.pdf

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Self Screening

• The Geriatric Depression Scale can be used to
• help identify problems.
• Reviews health raises awareness
• Does not give diagnosis
• May motivate to seek help

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Follow Up Discussion

• Do you know anyone who may benefit from this
  screening tool?
• How might you approach someone to offer screening?

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Sample Resource Matrix
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Role Play

• A staff member approaches an older
• adult who
• Is not participating in usual activities
• Seems easily upset
• Is saying life is lousy
• No longer dresses neatly

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Mental Health Promotion

• Promote good health and nutrition
• Indicate medications for mental health problems
  are effective
• Encourage social contacts
• Train staff about depression

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Summary

• 1 in 4 adults has experienced mental health
  problems
• Education and screening help
• Treatments are effective
• How You Can Help
• Learn skills to approach an older adult
• Offer self-screeners
• Recognize confidentiality

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Additional Resources

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
  Administration (SAMHSA) www.samhsa.gov Older
  Adults Section - Older Americans Substance Abuse
  and Mental Health Technical Assistance Center
  OlderAmericansTAC_at_westat.com
• Positive Aging Resource Center www.positiveaging.o
  rg
• National Coalition on Mental Health Aging
  www.ncmha.org
• NCOA Center for Healthy Aging www.healthyagingprog
  rams.org

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Get Connected!

• Linking Older Adults With Medication, Alcohol,
  and Mental Health Resources
• Alixe McNeill, NCOA Vice President
• for Program Development
• alixe.mcneill_at_ncoa.org
• www.ncoa.org