The project Talking Mental Health: Implementing co-designed processes to improve the mental health of older adults receiving home care services was launched March 2023.

This research study is a partnership between Uniting AgeWell, Flinders University and the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI), working with clients, experts and staff to create new tools and training in order to build confidence around mental health as an aspect of aged care in the community.

The Talking Mental Health project saw 148 Uniting AgeWell staff participate in the project. The project team worked with staff, clients and a Project Advisory Group (PAG) which included older people and their family, as well as experts from Beyond Blue and Mental Health First Aid Australia.

The project was undertaken within the west metropolitan Melbourne region of Uniting AgeWell, incorporating approximately 2,000 clients and 200 staff.

On Tuesday 21 May 2024, Uniting AgeWell Kingsville hosted a lunch to celebrate the completion of the project and to say thank you to all those who participated.

The results of the project were shared with attendees and indicated a positive result. Overall, staff felt more aware and confident in discussing mental health with clients, and reported improved knowledge in how to respond. Encouragingly, 88% of staff reported increased skills related to client’s mental health.

Director Strategy and Innovation Nina Bowes says the true strength of the project was in authentically utilising co-design to develop the project and reflect all views in the process.

“Projects like Talking Mental Health show there are so many perspectives required to ensure the result leads to genuine improvement. In this work we included the expertise of front line staff, customers, families and carers, as well as technical expertise from academics, and clinical advisors. This project is an excellent example of how a wide range of people can come together, share their knowledge and resources in order to push the boundaries and improve outcomes for older people”.

The project comprised of three phases:

Phase 1: Facilitation of two co-design workshops and training with staff.

Phase 2: Staff use the tools in the field with customers. The research team collect the data

Phase 3: Data collection concluded. Tools, templates and processes refined. Project findings shared.

At the conclusion of the project 17 clients were followed up by staff for care plan review or referral to services.

“Home care workers are in a really important position to have open conversations and provide companionship and reduce social isolation for their client and look after their emotional wellbeing,” says Anita Goh, Associate Professor and Clinical Neuropsychologist at the NARI who was involved in the project.

Findings from the project are a catalyst to continue the work.

Let’s keep talking mental health!

Talking Mental Health will continue to develop tools with customers and staff to support the mental health of older people receiving home care services through:

• Improving communication with our dispersed mobile workforce

• Reducing the administrative burden for office staff

• Continuing staff consultation as part of the planning and rollout

• Simplifying reporting processes, including “closing the loop” with Home Care Workers

• Increasing the flexibility of assessment processes

• Capturing issues beyond mental health in reporting

The Talking Mental Health Project was funded by Ageing Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA).

Future of Ageing Awards

The Talking Mental Health project is nominated in the Research category of the Future of Ageing Awards.

The award results will be announced at the Sydney conference on Thursday 29 August 2024.

Congratulations to all involved.

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