International Conference 2024 | Social Work Practice in Dementia Care

The 10th International Conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health (ICSWHMH) was held in November 2024 in Melbourne. This significant event in successfully brought together social work professionals, researchers, educators, and students from around the world to discuss and share the latest developments in the field of social work in health and mental health.

Recording 1

Older Adults Presenting with Dementia and BPSD in an Older Adult Acute Mental Health Unit, Barriers to Discharge and Implications for Social Work Practice

Presenter: Ms Margaret Dietz (Australia, VIC) & Mrs Jenny Kats (Australia, VIC)

In acute mental health units, social workers have a central role in supporting patients with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and their family with discharge planning. We completed a retrospective audit over two years (Nov 2019-2021) of discharges from our metropolitan facility. From clinical to demographic factors, the investigation shed light on preventive processes such as early engagement and the role of social workers to mitigate the complexities around progression through the acute mental health inpatient unit. This study will support better discharge outcomes for patients and their families. Policy Impact Early engagement of the Older Adults Community Mental Health services can help reduce mental health inpatient admissions. Practice Impact Coordination, communication, and consultation provided by the SW in the Older Adult inpatient unit can decrease length of stay in acute care, and lead to safer and sustainable discharge destinations.

Recording 2

The Sexuality in Dementia Pilot Project

Presenters: Ms Bronwyn Cutler (Australia, WA)

The Sexuality in Dementia pilot project aims to support the sexual health and wellbeing of older adults with dementia who reside in WA Country Health Service residential aged care facilities by improving the competence and confidence of staff in dealing with issues of sex and sexuality for older people with dementia in their care. Management of older people with dementia who reside in aged care facilities and demonstrate sexualised behaviours is a complex and sensitive clinical issue, and there is a dearth of resources and training available to staff to assist them to work constructively with people in his cohort.

A human centred design thinking approach has been used to explore the problem by gathering feedback and input from frontline staff. This information was then used to inform the design of a tailored education program that has been prototyped, tested and evaluated in two aged care sites in 2024. The production of the prototype as a minimum viable product and collection of initial relevant data has been achieved at this stage of the project.

AASW Credentials: Older Persons