Resources

This article from Heritage Care discusses a variety of activities for older people that stimulate their body and mind and may result in meaningful improvements in daily life activities.

Professor Sunil Bhar presents a webinar on the use of reminiscence therapy to enhance the wellbeing of older adults. Produced as part of the Ageing Webinar Series from Swinburne University of Technology. (1 h 22 m)

This free suicide prevention training program from Anglicare is for anyone who works with older people. It includes an online learning program and interactive workshop (3 hours duration). 

"This paper by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission presents key findings of a rapid review into contemporary evidence regarding interventions intended to improve the use of medications for older adults in the residential aged care setting."

This video by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission provides important information about sedative medications. It promotes quality and appropriate use of sedatives in residential aged care services in Australia, in particular antipsychotics and benzodiazepines. It also explains some of the impacts and side effects that should be considered when using these medications, and highlights the importance of informed consent. (6 min)

This 5th edition of the Silver Book by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners contains guidance on the use of psychoactive pharmaceuticals in the care of older patients.

A guide to using the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), a tool for assessing the signs and symptoms of major depression in people living with dementia. To be completed by someone that has regular contact with the person.

An article from Australian Prescriber which describes the importance of assessing older people for an anticholinergic burden when taking drugs such as antidepressants and antipsychotics.

Help sheets for careworkers to support older adults remain independent with functional tasks

Professor Lee-Fay Low, Professor in Ageing and Health from the University of Sydney, describes some of the challenges of conducting aged care research in the midst of aged care reforms.