Older Person Mental Health
The NSWIOP is committed to providing its students with the theory and knowledge to practice as experts in Mental Health for Older People.
The NSWIOP maintains active partnerships with NSW Health. In 2011 - 2013 NSWIOP reviewed and updated its course material to ensure it addressed the Specialist Mental Health Services for Older People (SMHSOP) Core
Competencies for beginning clinicians, developed by NSW Health, and other relevant policy and clinical documents.
SMHSOP Core Competencies for Beginning Clinicians
http://www0. health.nsw.gov.au/ resources/mhdao/ smhsop_core_competencies_pdf.asp
NSWIOP is dedicated to offering students a learning experience that suits their needs. The Mental Health for Older People Graduate Program offers face-to-face lectures, distance education based on adult learning principles, and online web forums for regular interaction with your peers as you move through the course content. Additionally, the graduate certificate has incorporated the Mental Health Professional Online Development (MHPOD: www.mhpod.gov.au) modules as recommended learning activities to offer the students the best learning experience possible. Please contact us if you’re interested in furthering your knowledge in Older Persons Mental Health.
Below is a list of links that you may find helpful:
AHPRA – Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
www.ahpra.gov.auIf you are currently working and registered as a health professional with AHPRA or similar, please contact them once you enrol to ensure that your post-graduate studies are recognised as a part of your continuing professional development (CPD) learning plan.
MHPOD - Mental Health Professional Online Development:
Specialist Mental Health Services for Older People (SMHSOP)Service Plan 2005 – 2015 (NSW Health):
http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/policies/gl/2006/GL2006_013.html
SMHSOP Acute Inpatient Unit Model of Care Project Report (NSW Health):
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/publications/Publications/SMHOP_NOV12.pdf
Aboriginal Older People’s Mental Health Project Report 2010 (NSW Health):
http://www0.health.nsw.gov.au/resources/mhdao/pdf/aboriginal_older_peoples.pdf
Psychogeriatric Nurses Association (PGNA):
RANZCP Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age:
http://www.ranzcp.org/Fellowship/Faculties/Faculty-of-Psychiatry-of-Old-Age.aspx
Australian Psychology Society:
Psychology Specialists Working with Older People:
http://www.psige.org/index.php- based in the UK, but the website is a great resource.
Department of Health and Ageing: Dementia Information:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/Dementia-1 http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/dementia-dbmas
