If your client population is comprised mostly of seniors, the National Mental Health Information Center has some terrific (and free) resources for you. As you probably know, mental health is a big issue for seniors. In fact, people over age 65 have one of the highest suicide rates of any age group in the United States!
At the National Mental Health Information Center, you can download (at no charge) toolkits, fact sheets and staff workshops all aimed at preventing suicide and promoting optimal mental health among senior citizens. All you need to take advantage of these materials is Acrobat Reader.
As your nurse aides provide personal care and assist with ADLs, it’s vital that they also pay attention to their clients’ mental health status. If you are looking for additional mental health resources, don’t forget In the Know inservices. We offer the following related topics:
- Understanding Depression
- Working with the Mentally Ill
- Understanding Schizophrenia
- Understanding Common Phobias
- Understanding Suicide
Because your CNAs spend so much time with your clients, they are in a good position to notice changes in mental health. So, be sure to arm your nursing assistants with the knowledge they need to make (and report) appropriate observations about their clients’ mental health.
