The Silent Mental Health Crisis in Aged Care
According to Samantha Freeman, executive of Medical and Aged Care Group, there are three simple shifts that can help aged care homes make real progress on mental health.
When discussing mental health in aged care, the focus often narrows to loneliness or dementia, but these issues only tell part of the story. Many older Australians also live with depression, anxiety, grief, and trauma that remain under-recognised and under-supported.
- Research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows that close to half of people in residential aged care experience depression.
- Mental health support needs to be embedded in care models, not treated as an afterthought.
- These conditions are closely intertwined with physical health, affecting sleep, appetite, engagement in rehabilitation, and even pain tolerance.
These are very real and pressing issues, but they only tell part of the story.
Samantha Freeman highlights the importance of addressing mental health in aged care.
Author's summary: Aged care homes must prioritize mental health support.