RSL Anzac Village, NSW - Mental health - awarded 2008

Mental health clinical pathway

RSL LifeCare has responded to the mental health needs of residents by providing a comprehensive mental health service to the residents of the village. Consistent with the research literature, the mental health care of residents is enhanced by providing a best practice model, specifically through the introduction of psychosocial and non-pharmacological approaches to the management of challenging behaviours arising from dementia as well as psychiatric problems. In this PDR program residents diagnosed with mental health issues have access to a mental health clinical pathway which tailors care, treatment and support to their individual psychiatric needs.

The clientele of RSL LifeCare include ex-service personnel as well as people from the general community with mental health needs as well as aged care service requirements. RSL LifeCare set up a clinical psychology service in 2004 which has been providing four hours of clinical psychology services per week for two years. The psychologist reviews care and treatment of residents, conducts clinical assessments and contributes to resident care; and provides education and support to staff. While clinical psychology is no longer a service rarely offered in aged care, RSL LifeCare was the first to initiate such a service and over time, this resource has supported the implementation of a range of mental health services across the Narrabeen site.

RSL LifeCare employs registered nurses with psychiatric qualifications and mental health experience to ensure that residents needing this specialised care can access it. As a result of this extension of our mental health services capacity, a mental health clinical pathway was developed which allows us to identify residents needing special psychiatric care and to also ensure that their diagnosis of mental illness is not confused with co-morbidities associated with dementia and late age. In developing a skilled workforce to better understand and care for residents with mental health issues, staff underwent training on aspects of mental health care. Further, registered nurses work with the psychologist to provide a mental health clinical pathway that ensures appropriate services are available and provide effective mental health support for residents, including those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).