The Supporting Emotional Wellness in Aged Care (SEW) Program, is funded by the Adelaide Primary Health Network (PHN) and provides free, onsite mental health services for residents of Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) experiencing, or at risk of developing, mild to moderate mental health conditions. The service involves qualified mental health clinicians providing short term, evidence based individual therapy as well as therapeutic and low intensity groups (e.g. transition and sleep hygiene groups) to eligible residents.
The SEW team can also provide free mental health literacy training to staff, family and friends.
To be eligible persons must be a resident of a RACF within the Adelaide metropolitan region that has registered for the program, and:
- Significant transition issues and experiencing adjustment disorders
- Residents ‘at risk’ of mild to moderate mental health conditions
- Residents with a diagnosed mental health condition (e.g. anxiety and/or depression) with either mild to moderate symptoms, or which is severe and episodic in nature and will benefit from short-term psychological therapies
- Residents with a history of mental illness for which they received services before being admitted to a RACF which could not be continued.
The SEW Program will not duplicate the role of leisure and recreation activities already provided to residents by RACFs.
Please note – Supporting Emotional Wellness in Aged Care Program is not intended to support:
- significant behavioural issues
- mental health conditions that are severe and persistent or associated with complex needs
- dementia with severe cognitive features and behavioral symptoms (BPSD) which is affecting their wellbeing and care
- delirium.
These needs are be better supported by specialised services, such as the State Governments Older Persons Mental Health Service and the Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service, delivered through Dementia Support Australia.
What you can expect
The expected benefits of psychological services for RACF residents are improvements in mood, adjustment and functioning and increased ability to cope with life changes.
Our staff
The Supporting Emotional Wellness in Aged Care will be delivered by suitably qualified mental health clinicians such as: Psychologists, accredited mental health Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Mental Health Nurses. Mental Health clinicians providing the Supporting Emotional Wellness Program receive professional supervision and ongoing training.
Service Resources
Please direct all enquiries to 1800 000 739 (1800 000 SEW).
- SEW provides free Mental Health Literacy Resources to staff and family. For more resources, visit HERE.
- To refer residents to the SEW Program, please complete the online referral form.
- Supporting Emotional Wellness in Aged Care – Download a brochure HERE.
- Order printed SEW brochures HERE (link coming soon).