Council on the Ageing (Victoria)
cotavic@cotavic.org.au
Copyright 2006 Council on the Ageing
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beyond maturity blues
Why is learning about depression and beyond maturity blues important?
Depression in older people is common and may occur for different reasons. Importantly, while the onset of a physical illness or personal loss and sadness can be common and may lead to depression, depression is not a normal part of ageing.
By encourageing early recognition of the signs of depression, we can assist people to recover faster. Unfortunately many people know little or nothing about depression and do not seek treatment.
Council of the Ageing (COTA), together with beyondblue (the national depression initiative), were concerned about the lack of information available to older people experiencing depression and are hosting information sessions called 'beyond maturity blues'. The essence of a session is to dispel the myth that depression is part of getting old.
The ’beyond maturity blues’ sessions are presented by volunteer peer educators trained and supported by COTA and beyondblue. Peer educators are not trained medically but are trained to give information and generate discussion. People attending sessions given by peer educators have remarked that they find them very accessible as they are in conversational language, and they feel they are being spoken with rather than spoken to. This approach is particularly important when discussing issues such as depression, as many senior citizens are apprehensive in seeking medical assistance with the illness.
'beyond maturity blues' session help increase knowledge about depression and encourage early intervention and support. They also aim to decrease the stigma around depression and demonstrate to people that it is not a normal part of ageing.
What happens at the sessions?
- A trained Peer Educator will lead participants through an interactive session about depression and beyond maturity blues, encourageing feedback and questions.
- Participants receive handouts to take home to read at their leisure and to tell others about information and resources covered in the session.
- Sessions run for up to one hour.
- Our Peer Educators know how to make the sessions interesting and how to empower older people to feel comfortable and confident in finding out more about depression and how it affects seniors.
- You can be assured of a very worthwhile learning experience!
'beyond maturity blues' are available to community groups in Victoria. If you would like to book a session for your group, contact the COTA Victoria on 9655 2115.
COTA Victoria also holds other information sessions, including how to have a better nights sleep, and sessions designed to help seniors to get to know their medicines in an effort to reduce the number of medicine mix-ups. Contact 9654 4443 for more information.
How do I organise a session booking?
Call COTA Victoria
Telephone: 03 9655 2115
Fax: 03 9654 4456
Email: speakers@cotavic.org.au
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
- Suggest the person sees a doctor or health professional.
- Offer practical support by assisting the person to make an appointment and either provide or arrange transport.
- Offer assistance at the person’s home.
- If someone has been prescribed antidepressant medication, encourage the person to continue taking it as directed and assist them to discuss the treatment with their doctor.
- If the person complains of side-effects from the medication, encourage them to discuss these with their doctor or pharmacist.
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