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Recommendations for staff education and training for older people with mental illness in long-term aged care

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 September 2010

Wendy Moyle*
Affiliation:
Griffith Health Institute, RCCCPI, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
Mei Chi Hsu
Affiliation:
Department of Nursing, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Republic of China, Taiwan
Susan Lieff
Affiliation:
Baycrest Geriatric Health Care System, Faculty of Medicine and Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Canada
Myrra Vernooij-Dassen
Affiliation:
Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Wendy Moyle, Griffith University, Griffith Health Institute, RCCCPI, 170 Kessels Rd, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland 4111, Australia. Phone: +61 7 3735 5526; Fax: +61 7 3735 5431. Email: w.moyle@griffith.edu.au.

Abstract

Background: This paper was written as a result of the International Psychogeriatric Association Task Force on Mental Health Services in Long-Term Care. The appraisal presented here aims to (1) identify the best available evidence that underpins best practice for geriatric mental health education and training of staff working in long-term care, and (2) summarize the appraisal of the literature to provide recommendations for practice.

Methods: An initial search of databases found 138 papers related to the search strategy. Selected papers were summarized and compared against set inclusion criteria. This resulted in 17 papers suitable for review.

Results: The majority of papers focused on behavior skills training. A number of key factors were identified that determine the success of geriatric mental health education and training and recommendations are outlined.

Conclusions: Methodological weaknesses are common and highlight the need for further replication studies using strong research designs.

Type
Focus on mental health issues in long-term-care homes
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2010

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