Introduction to counselling approaches in residential aged care settings (Seminar Series on Ageing)

Mental health services are now becoming more available in residential aged care facilities. However few clinicians are trained to provide such services. Over the last few years, a variety of such services have been trialled through the Swinburne Wellbeing Clinic for Older adults, independent clinicians and individual facilities. We are understanding more about the challenges and barriers towards the best way of delivering accessible and effective mental health programs in such settings. This panel brings together some of our mental trainees to discuss their experiences as new workers in the field. A range of topics is discussed, including their roles, dementia interventions, involving staff and families, use of groups, reminiscence, creative arts and other innovative methods to facilitate therapeutic goals