Family, friends and health staff working with older adults affected by dementia, depression and anxiety have a new online resource to tap into.
It is an e-learning resource that has been developed by the Northern DHB Support Agency and the Whanganui District Health Board is urging everyone with an interest in the elderly to access it.
Andrea Bunn, WDHB senior portfolio manager for mental health and health of older people, said she would encourage those who care for older people, whether professionally or as family, to visit the site and familiarise themselves with the new tool.
"It provides real-time information and advice which is ideal for those wanting or needing to gain a better understanding of the mental health issues that older people face," Mrs Bunn said.
"Dementia, depression, anxiety and personality issues can be just as challenging for the person experiencing them as they are for those who do the caring, something I think is sometimes overlooked."
She said while the website was designed by clinicians for clinicians working with older people, anyone ranging from family members and non-government organisations to caregivers and clinicians could tailor its use to help them learn more about each topic.
She said the website would benefit anyone working with the elderly who wanted to up-skill and improve their knowledge.
For more information go to: www.networknorth.org.nz/e-resources. The e-learning tool asks web users to identify themselves as clinician, service user, carer or leader/manager.