A successful new program that integrates mental health treatment directly into at-home aged care is being expanded to Western Australia and South Australia, following a pilot that saw clients experience a significant reduction in depression symptoms.
The move comes in response to a growing crisis, with a recent study finding more than 60 per cent of older Australians receiving in-home care experience symptoms of depression or anxiety.
The program, called EMBED, was developed by Silverchain in collaboration with several Australian universities. Its 2024 pilot in Victoria was met with exceptionally high client satisfaction, with 95 per cent of participants rating it as “good” or “excellent.”
Building on that success, a much larger clinical trial is now underway to recruit more than 400 aged care clients in WA and SA to further test the model’s long-term benefits.
Silverchain’s Director of Research Discovery, Adjunct Professor Tanya Davison, described the issue as widespread and poorly handled.
“Depression remains one of the most common – but poorly managed – health issues in older Australians,” Adjunct Professor Davison said.
The EMBED model addresses this by providing clients with access to video consultations with mental health clinicians and other digital therapeutic resources, effectively delivering psychological support into their homes.
“The overwhelmingly positive response from both clients and our care teams demonstrates the urgent need for mental health integration in aged care. EMBED is proving to be a scalable and feasible solution,” Adjunct Professor Davison said.
The program is seen as a critical step in addressing a major deficiency in the current aged care system, where mental health is often overlooked despite official data showing prevalence increases significantly after age 80.
“This model of care is a game-changer for older people’s health and wellbeing. By integrating mental health into home care, we’re addressing a critical gap in the system and ensuring older Australians can age well at home,” Adjunct Professor Davison said.
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
