Older adults access to mental health and social care services during COVID-19 restrictions in Western Australia
Australian Journal of Psychology Vol 74(1), 2022, ArtID 2139196
; 74(1), 2022.
Article
in English
| APA PsycInfo | ID: covidwho-2248026
ABSTRACT
Objective:
This study aimed to understand the impact of COVID-19 on access to mental health and social services among older adults in Western Australia.Method:
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 194 adults aged >=70 years or >=60 years with chronic conditions. A questionnaire co-developed by a consumer reference group was used to collect data on social networks and service access. Frequency analyses were used to assess quantitative data. Qualitative data were assessed using thematic analyses.Results:
62.7% of participants reported being not at all/slightly affected by COVID-19;40.7% reported having three/four people to chat with. 76.3% of participants did not access mental health or social services during the 2020 COVID-19 restrictions. The remaining 23.7% mostly accessed mental health-related services, with GPs the most common source of support. 18.0% of the total sample reported choosing not to access services even though they would have liked to.Conclusions:
Most older adults in this sample did not access mental health or social care services. 18.0% of all participants felt they needed services but did not access them. This suggests there were some unmet needs within the community. Strengthening social networks may help protect older adults against psychosocial declines during and post-COVID-19. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
Attitudes; barriers; COVID-19; health service utilisation; older adults, *Mental Health Services, *Social Networks, *Social Services, *Health Care Access, *covid-19, Client Attitudes, Elder Care, Health Care Utilization, Treatment Barriers, Health & Mental Health Services [3370], Human Male Female Adulthood (18 yrs & older) Aged (65 yrs & older), Australia
Full text:
Available
Collection:
Databases of international organizations
Database:
APA PsycInfo
Language:
English
Journal:
Australian Journal of Psychology Vol 74(1), 2022, ArtID 2139196
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
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