Mindfulness as a complementary intervention in the management and treatment of Depression in Residential Aged Care
Heather Beamish
Subject: SOCF311
Assignment: Assignment 1
Word Count: 550
Title
Mindfulness as a complementary intervention in the management and treatment of Depression in Residential Aged Care
Analysis
Rates of depression among Elderly Australians living in Residential Aged Care (RAC) was 45% as at 2012 as reported in a large scale study: ‘Depression in residential aged care’, conducted by researchers for the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) between 2008-2012 (AIHW, 2013). More recent figures in 2016 from the AIHW show that this percentage has not changed significantly since this study (AIHW, 2016).
Objectives
The standard method for identifying depression in RAC is for medical care staff to consult with resident’s about their levels of depression, using the Cornell Depression Scale on resident Admission to RAC, and then as required by the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI). Residents needs are assessed as low, medium, or high care (see also Appendix) across 12 domains (including depression, cognition and behaviour). Further assessments occur at 2, 6, & 12 months, or when circumstances change significantly for the client (AIHW, 2013). It ‘s proposed that implementing Mindfulness into existing RAC Wellness and Reablement initiatives by the Australian Government Department of Health (AGDH) is a worthwhile investment towards reducing the rates of depression in clients (see also Appendix).
Hypothesis
Mindfulness practice is promising for elderly people in physical, emotional, spiritual, cognitive, and other wellness domains (Stevens. B.A, 2016). Funding Mindfulness, assists the Australian Government Productivity Commissions (AGPC) goals in providing funding for services that improve wellbeing; AGPC, 2021 states ‘Wellbeing and independence in residential care’ is an indicator of governments’ objective to promote the wellbeing and independence of older people, by assisting them in residential care.
In addition to the above, Mindfulness practices may improve depression (Helmes et al, 2015)., (Kishita et al, 2016)., (Kumar et al, 2014)., (Moss et al, 2015)., (Thomas et al, 2020), and also improve depression associated with dementia (Russell-Williams et al, 2015)., (Shim et al, 2021)., and Alzheimer’s disease in the early stages (Lima et al, 2020)., (see also Appendix).
Limitations
The time taken for ACFI assessments to be done is challenging, as some facilities are short on time, with each review taking 20-30 minutes for depression screening (AIHW, 2013). Additionally, data analysis can take time as statistics from ACFI are collated periodically, and then reported to Australian Government departments for collation. More research is needed to give validity to this intervention. Funding may not be allocated to this intervention until studies can provide sufficient evidence that this intervention is worthwhile.
Methodology and methods
Examples are:
- Mindfulness tablet apps
- Weekly resident sessions
- Randomised Control Trials
- Qualitative Data – Survey’s / Resident Questionaries
- Quantitative Date – Cornell Depression Scale
- Followed up at 6 -12 month intervals
Discussion
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety 2020 (RCACQS) state that: ‘Australians aged 65 and over were 4.2 million (16%) as at June 30, 2020, and the number of people using residential aged care is set to increase between now and 2050’. More specifically: ‘The number of Australians aged 65-69 will increase by around one-third but those aged 85’ and over will more than double (RCACQS, 2020)’. The proposal of funding for the provision of Mindfulness practices services for all elderly people in RAC would be a worthwhile investment now and in the future.
Conclusion
A more in depth look at this proposal will be undertaken in Assignment 2, SOCF311. Additional academic papers, journals, and statistical evidence will be followed up in the next assignment.
Appendix
People’s care needs in aged care – Australian Government Institute of Health and Welfare.
AIHW states: As at 30 June 2020:
- The majority of people with dementia (80%) and almost half (46%) of people without dementia were assessed as having high care needs for cognition and behaviour.
- The proportion of high care need ratings for activities of daily living was also greater among people with dementia (67% compared with 58%).
- The smallest difference in care need ratings was for complex health care—55% of people without dementia and 52% of people with dementia received a high rating.
References
Australian Government Productivity Commission, 2022, Report on Government Services
Australian Government Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, GEN Aged Data, Fact
Sheet, 29 April 2022., Providers, services and places in aged care Providers, services and places in aged care – AIHW Gen (gen-agedcaredata.gov.au)
Australian Government Australian Institute of Health and Welfare., 2021., People using aged
care, GEN Aged Data, Fact Sheet, 2020-2021 People-using-aged-care-fact-sheet-2021.pdf (gen-agedcaredata.gov.au)
Australian Government Australian Institute of Health and Welfare., 2021, GEN Aged Data
Fact Sheet, 2020-2021, People’s care needs in aged care People’s care needs in aged care – AIHW Gen (genagedcaredata.gov.au)
Australian Government Department of Health., June 22, 2022., About residential aged care
About residential aged care | Australian Government Department of Health
Australian Government Department of Health, February 23, 2021, Wellness and reablement
initiative Wellness and reablement initiative | Australian Government Department of Health
Australian Government Institute of Health and Welfare, 2013., Depression in residential aged
care 2008–2012Depression in residential aged care (full publication; 27 September 2013)(AIHW)
Australian Government Institute of Health and Welfare, 29 April 2022, Report on the
Operation of the Aged Care Act 1997, ROACA Key Facts. from GEN-Infographic-ROACA-KeyFacts (gen-agedcaredata.gov.au)
Australian Government Institute of Health and Welfare., 2021., Aged Care Guide., Aged
Care Residents more likely to experience mental health issues., Aged care – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (aihw.gov.au)
Australian Government Institute of Health and Welfare., 22 June 2021 People’s care needs
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