Connect August 2020 | Adelaide PHN in Action
Supporting
Older People Impacted by COVID-19 Adelaide PHN is supporting the mental health and wellbeing of people 65 years and over, (55 years and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders) who have been impacted by the physical and social distancing measures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has had a significant impact on older people who have been found to be particularly vulnerable and more likely to experience social isolation and loneliness because of their disconnection from loved ones and loss of access to services. Effects may range from low level situational distress, to more intense needs associated with ongoing mental ill health and/or physical health needs requiring tailored management and support. In response Adelaide PHN has developed a suite of interventions which address the mental health and wellbeing needs of this group, improve access to mental and physical health services and establish connection and/or reconnection to local community networks. This will include increasing the capacity of existing mental health services to provide appropriate treatment and care navigation services. We will also be commissioning new services to deliver allied health led reconditioning and resilience packages, peer support and social networking activities in the community. Each approach is designed to
support integration across services and connection with general practice. Interventions will be rolled out over the coming months and we will keep you up to date and informed of specific activities as they become available.
Visit our website’s Directory of Services and Programs to explore what else we are doing within the National PHN priority areas of aged care and primary mental health care.