Older People and Dementia Project Technical Reference Group | Midland District Health Boards

The mental health and addictions Older People and Dementia project commenced on the 1st of October with a meeting of national external reference group. Katherine Fell, Portfolio Manager Waikato and Dr Darren Malone, Psychiatrist Lakes DHB are the Midland representatives for this project. This project is being lead by Roz Sorensen and she can be contacted at roz_sorensen "at" moh.govt.nz

The project is unique in that it will develop an integrated approach to meeting the needs of people affected by dementia and people over 65 affected by mental health and addiction problems by working collaboratively across the traditional boundaries of the Health of Older People, Mental Health and Addictions, Disability and Chronic Conditions sectors. The outcomes of the project will be documented in a strategic framework that includes recommendations and guidance for implementing improved services for the target groups across the health sector.

The project will focus on the needs of:

• people who develop dementia at any age
• people who are affected by chronic health conditions and/or organic brain disorders and/or brain injuries and/or intellectual disability who develop dementia and/or a psychiatric disorder (or challenging behaviour).
• people who have long-term mental health and/or addiction problems aged over 65
• people aged over 65 who have had experience of mental health and/or addiction problems but have not been in contact with services for an extended period of time
• people aged over 65 who experience a mental health and/or addiction problem for the first time

Please check this page regularly as any updates will be posted to ensure that consultation across the sectors is as wide as possible. A feedback sheet has been developed and Roz welcomes any feedback from the sector for any stage of the project work being undertaken.