The Aged Psychiatry Service provides community based psychiatric assessment and treatment to persons over the age of 65 years living in North East Victoria. Assessment takes place within the person's environment, which may be at home, in a residential facility or hospital. All treatment takes place in a shared care arrangement with the treating General Practitioner, and family or carers.
The service provides support and education to residential facility staff who may have residents who display difficult or challenging behaviours. Education is also provided to other aged care service providers and GPs.
Mental health promotion for older persons is provided in cooperation with community based services committed to promoting healthy ageing.
Staff at the Aged Psychiatry Service are experienced in working with older people and include:
- Consultant Psychiatrists
- Registered Psychiatric Nurses
- Allied Health Staff
- Administrative Officer
Inpatient Services
The Aged Psychiatry Service facilitates admission to the five older persons' beds within the acute inpatient psychiatric unit, Kerferd Clinic.
In instances where an older person requires specialist longer term residential care due to severe behavioural disturbance, the Aged Psychiatry Service will arrange admission to the psychogeriatric nursing home located in Beechworth.
Community
All assessment and treatment takes place within the community. Inpatient admission is required for only a small number of people who are clients of the service.
The service is provided to the Rural City of Wangaratta, Wodonga City, the Shires of Indigo, Towong, Alpine, Mansfield, Benalla and part Moira Shire.
Aged Psychiatry Service Brochure (79 KB)
