Page 62 - Retail Pharmacy Assistants - October 2020

60 MENTAL HEALTH FROM PAGE 59 room. Yes, loneliness and isolation are very common.” Professor Bhar points out that it could seem strange that a person in a residential setting could feel isolated and lonely, but that these feelings are not eliminated through them keeping busy or having people around. “What we’ve found makes a real difference is that the older person, wherever they may be, feels listened to,” he said. “I know it can be difficult for pharmacists to put some time aside in their busy schedule, but if they could make the time to hear what someone is going through – not to even offer a service or solve a problem but just to be a witness to what they’re going through – they could make a world of difference to that person.” Being heard in an acceptable way Professor Bhar says many elderly people have told the university over the past decade how special it has felt to talk to someone who is impartial and who is not a family member or friend, which makes them feel “visible and heard”. “That’s the first step,” he said. “The second step is referring individuals, if possible, so that they may get more specialised help. However, it’s worth pointing out that there are a couple of barriers here, such as stereotypes as to how older people will respond if counselling or psychological treatment is suggested. “I’ve grown up in the era of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest that brings with it all the negative prejudicial stereotypes about what it means to receive psychological treatment – in terms of lying strapped to a sofa, being hypnotised and psychoanalysed. Some of these images are very disempowering. Another barrier, he says, is knowing whom to refer the patient to, as not many practitioners specialise in geropsychology – the gap that the university fills in residential aged care.” “Organisations such as Beyond Blue and COTA \\\[also known as Council on the Ageing\\\] offer services, as well as many others, which can be localised or specialised,” Professor Bhar said. “If a pharmacist or healthcare worker is struggling to refer a patient, we’d be happy to help. The university’s telehealth service is accessible not only to residents but also to aged care staff, including pharmacists.” Government support The issue of whether government is adequately supporting elderly people is a “topical and tricky issue”, Professor Bhar says. “Australia is at a turning point,” he said. “Just look at the royal commission into aged care quality and safety.” In July, the royal commission was given an extension of three months, with a further 6100 home care packages announced by the federal government. Professor Bhar says this measure was taken because more time is needed to ensure that all public concerns are heard, including the impact of the pandemic on those in residential aged care and home care. The royal commission has also begun to reveal some of the challenges in the system. Extending the reporting period will allow it to be as comprehensive as possible. “I think that when it comes out, we’ll start to see some revolutions within mental health and aged care,” Professor Bhar said. “For example, if you live in a residential aged care facility, you don’t have the same access to Medicare rebates or psychological treatment compared with someone living in the community. There’s a strong division in policies and funding for mental health between these two sectors, which many people aren’t aware of.” Professor Bhar also highlights that about 18 months ago, $82 million was invested in a trial of Primary Health Networks commissioning services for mental healthcare in residential facilities. “Even though it’s still in its infancy, there’s increased traction in the form of more practitioners such as psychologists, social workers, and mental health nurses making themselves known to aged care facilities,” he said. “So, I think we’re going to see some development there. “Government really needs to get behind the idea that older people require really good mental healthcare, which isn’t simply resolved with funding.” He adds that creativity is required in terms of how healthcare professionals are trained to be more mindful and competent in providing mental health services to older adults. “In many cases, there’s no difference between how a healthcare professional works with an older patient compared with a younger one,” he said. “But as soon as the older person develops a cognitive impairment, or as soon as they develop a physical impairment, they become frail and need assistance with many things, including technology.” This means, he says, that the first thing to focus on, apart from funding, is the “insight and competency” required to navigate through these issues. The second is the requirement for a public campaign that supports older people connecting to counselling and psychological services. “Government’s been very good at underlining that it’s OK for people who are going through suicide ideation, or younger people experiencing domestic violence, to reach out,” he said. “I think the same message needs to be put through to the older community, as well as the healthcare professional services.” RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • OCT 2020 Refer to: swin.edu.au/telehealthcounselling