Mental health problems in older people

Training Synergy provides training to the social housing sector to help housing organisations operate within best practice and the law.

To improve your understanding of mental illness in older people to help you relate more effectively to tenants with mental health problems, and to ensure that services meet their needs.

Learning outcome:

At the end of this course you will be able to:

  • Define the most common forms of mental illness and how they affect older people
  • Examine sources of help, advice and support
  • Recognise the stress on carers and family members
  • Explore ways of coping with specific problems and alleviating disruptive behaviour
  • Improve how you relate to older tenants with mental health problems
  • Assess the effects of mental health legislation

Suitable for:

Wardens, scheme managers, hostel staff or anyone who comes into contact with older tenants with mental health problems.

Content:

  • Examples of mental health conditions experienced by older people; symptoms, descriptions, how to recognise such conditions and how deal with the people experiencing them effectively.
  • Older people as clients of housing & support services; demography, (the aging population, changing locations of the workforce and the effects on retired people); types of tenure; homelessness amongst older people; social factors and possible effects on mental health.
  • Housing services for older people; sheltered housing, (different categories), warden-call services, home improvement agencies.
  • Welfare benefits; brief outline of health and disability-related benefits, E.g. Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance.
  • The relevance of traditional housing provision for older people in a context of changing demands and legislation: National Standards Framework for Older Peoples Services; Care Standards Act; Community Care Act.
  • Emerging services for older people: very sheltered housing; homecare; leasehold extra care; retirement villages; continuing care projects.
  • Sources of information and assistance. Guide to finding information on a range of services available to older people with mental health conditions: E.g. Community Mental Health services; Age Concern.