Psychological therapies and wellbeing support for older adults in the community

Merri Health’s Stepped Care for Older Adults (SCOA) program provides mental health and wellbeing supports for people aged 65 and over (and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 55 and over) with mild to moderate mental illness, and for those at risk of developing mental illness due to psychological stressors.

The service provides access to a multidisciplinary team of experienced metal health workers. Practitioners take an evidence-based and recovery-focused biopsychosocial approach to strengthening wellness, mind care and social connectedness.

Service providers work closely with GPs, Head to Health pop-up clinics, hospitals and other parts of the mental health system to ensure clients receive the right mental health care and social support for their assessed need.

SCOA is an 8-week program consisting of group and individual sessions. It includes:

• coordinated intake and triage
• clinical nursing services
• time-limited psychological therapies delivered through a multidisciplinary team
• care coordination and service navigation
• primary care linkages and social prescription.

Services are provided by in-reach, telehealth, outreach and at Merri Health sites as required.

SCOA aims to improve wellness and mind care for older people experiencing social isolation and mental illness. Outcomes for older adults include:

• reduced loneliness and psychological distress, and improved social connections with family and friends
• increased ability to self-manage mental health symptoms, and awareness of habits that support better health
• increase in self-confidence through achievement of goals
• increased service engagement and inclusion, and better connections to other services and supports.

Page updated 30 September 2024.