49 2.5.7 Mental Health

The Canadian Institute for Health Information (2019) identified that 41% of residents in LTC have psychiatric conditions

Recommendations to support seniors with mental health include:

• Promotion strategies
• Prevention and early identification
• Integrated service system

Additional Implementation Facilitators include:

• Use of benchmarks to review existing services, staffing & resource development
• Need for cultural safety
• Partnership & collaboration
• Use of technology to facilitate access
• training , education & support for health care providers^[1][2]

Mood & Anxiety:

• Depression
• Anxiety

Treatment includes:

• SSRIs
  • Moniter Na, SIADH, suicide risk
  • Consider QT prolongation
  • 2-3 trials before SSRIs are a “failed trial”
• Consider geriatric psychiatry consult
• Consider adjunct treatment
• Consider addition of non-pharmacological therapies^[3][4]