Older Aussies locked out of mental health support
When it comes to giving seniors access to the mental health services they need, this country has a real problem. That’s the argument from COTA Australia, which has demanded action to ensure senior Australians get the support they deserve.
The organisation has launched a petition seeking an immediate response for the 170,000 senior Australians who have found themselves locked out of Medicare-funded mental health treatments, because they live in residential aged care.
Most of the community has access to mental health treatment through the Better Access to Mental Health Care program introduced by the Liberal government in 2006, but many seniors living in residential aged care are excluded, even if their aged care providers to not offer sufficient support services as part of their package.
The COTA Australia petition states, “University research has repeatedly found that fewer than two per cent of nursing home residents suffering depression have received clinically recommended treatment. And yet we know that aged care residents suffer some of the highest incidence of depression in the country.
“Introduced in 2006, the Better Access to Mental Health Care excluded aged care residents. If you are at home and receiving a high-level Home Care Package you can access the program - but if you’re around the corner in residential care you cannot.”
COTA Australia CEO Ian Yates echoed the calls, stating, ““This policy still treats them as though they are institutionalised and without any control over their own lives. Given the high incidence of depression and other mental health conditions suffered by resident of aged care facilities, there is clearly a problem here that needs to be urgently addressed.”
For more information or to sign the petition, click here.