PSYCHOGERIATRIC NURSE’S ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER February 2019 1 | P a g e
PSYCHOGERIATRIC NURSE’S ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA (Inc.)
February 2019
Look out for Newsletters 2019 in:
• February
• May
• August
• November
Aim for -Planned Months for 2019 Education
Events:
• February – Joint FPOA and PGNA Seniors
Week Seminar – “Love Life in Late Life”
• April
• July
• November AGM
The 2019 Executive meetings will be held:
• Every second Month the Second Thursday of the
month at 6pm
Dates for Exec Meetings 2019!
• January 10th
• March 14th
• May 9th
• July 11th
• September 12th
• November 14th
• AGM November and
• ? PGNA Conference November
If you have any agenda items you would like
discussed or feedback you would like to provide,
please contact Fraser by email:
[email protected] or mobile - 0476
243 802
February 2019
Editor:
Marianne
Cummins
The Association for Nurses Working in Older People’s
Mental Health, Aged and Dementia Care
www.pgna.org.au
PSYCHOGERIATRIC NURSE’S ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA (Inc.)
May
2017
Message from the Executive –
Welcome to 2019, after the hectic time of
Christmas and New Year we hope is was a safe
and special time spent with family and friends!
Summary: What the Executive Committee are
planning to work towards over the next 12
months.
• Continue completing the PGNA Resource
Manual comprising Executive Positions
Role and Responsibility and Policy
Procedure Manual
• Continue improving the Website to
include a ‘Members Only’ area so
Members have access to the Executive
Committee Meeting Minutes, previous
AGM Minutes; introduction of google
analytics to our website to provide real
time visitors overview and track their
activities, page views.
• Renew Collaboration and ties with FPOA
(Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age) – joint
education and Conference. First Seniors
Week – Seniors Seminar. Increase
Multidisciplinary ties.
• Education is one of the core activities of
the PGNA. Re-establish the Education
Sub Committee.
PGNA NEWS
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PSYCHOGERIATRIC NURSE’S ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA (Inc.)
February 2019
To contribute to the next Newsletter please forward
the information to me ….
Welcome to our New Members:
• Archana Kumar. Position: Dementia Consultant, Organisation: Hammond Care NSW
• Maree Gallop. Position: CNC Psychogeriatrics, Organisation: Hunter New England Mental Health, NSW
• Danny Kinsilla. Position: Nurse Educator Organisation: The Alfred Hospital in Prahran, Victoria. _____________________________
NOTICEBOARD Education Sub Committee
Update – There has been a lot of action over the past 2 months planning the first for 2019 joint Seniors Event. THE FACULTY OF PSYCHIATRY OF OLD AGE (FPOA) & PSYCHOGERIATRIC NURSES ASSOCIATION (PGNA)
are hosting a FREE consumer event for Seniors
week. Event Title: Loving Life in Late Life Lunch and Morning Tea provided Date: 14th February 2019 Time: 9 – 3pm Venue: Club Burwood RSL This was a very successful event – see the summary and photos at the end of the Newsletter. ______________________________________
Have you ever seen the... 1. “Core Competencies and
Measurement Criteria for Beginning Clinicians in Specialist Mental Health Services for Older People?” https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/resources/Documents/core-competencies-smhsop.pdf
2. NSW Older People’s Mental Health Services SERVICE PLAN 2017-2027 https://www1.health.nsw.gov.au/pds/ActivePDSDocuments/GL2017_022.pdf
3. Evidence Check Specialist Dementia Care Units https://www.saxinstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Specialist-dementia-care-units_FINAL.pdf
4. Assessment and Management
of People with Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) A Handbook for NSW Health Clinicians.
https://www.ranzcp.org/files/resources/reports/a-handbook-for-nsw-health-clinicians-bpsd_june13_w.aspx
From the Editor
Do you have a support network for
your clinical practice? Who you can
reflect on practice issues and talk
things over with? Where do you get
your up to date information from?
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PSYCHOGERIATRIC NURSE’S ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA (Inc.)
February 2019
The PGNA has a diverse membership of
people from differing backgrounds,
experiences and regions. One of the
things we can do is support one
another by networking and connecting,
being able to get support from a
colleague in the PGNA.
This maybe Reflecting on our practice,
and how can we influence the areas we
work in, in the Specialty (Older Person’s
Mental Health) and Goals of the PGNA!
Let’s keep our focus where it belongs, and why
we do what we do. We want to influence the
changes that are needed to care for our most
vulnerable clients/patients in a respectful,
dignified non-judgmental way because that’s
what sets us apart from others due to our
expertise and knowledge in the area. We have
the training, skills and up-to-date current
knowledge to mentor and lead the novice RN’s
into appropriate care practices!
So here is a reminder of what we (PGNA) want
to achieve …..what principles we stand for.
PGNA grew out of the need for members to
support each other professionally in the
Specialised field of Psychogeriatric Nursing.
With an increasing ageing population, PGNA is
now poised to influence/challenge Policy makers
at state and Commonwealth levels to ensure
older people with a mental illness/mental
disorder and or cognitive impairment are
considered in health care planning processes.
The Mission of the PGNA is to:
• Encourage and provide an avenue for
personal and professional communication
between psychogeriatric nurses
• Encourage the exchange and dissemination of
knowledge, skills and ideas in the specialty
• Provide opportunities for continuing specialist
Education
• Develop psychogeriatric nursing as a
specialist professional discipline
• Foster the highest standards of
psychogeriatric nursing care
• Encourage clinical research in the specialty
• Promote interrelationships between other
branches of the nursing profession
• Promote links between other professional
bodies
• Provide a united and authoritative voice for
the profession of nursing on all matters
pertaining to the clinical specialty of
psychogeriatric nursing
• Affiliate with other nursing, medical and
other professional groups
Have you seen the NSW Elder Abuse helpline
and resource unit webpage –it has
downloadable resources in a format that are
easy to use, with Links to other important
information sources.
Do you know where or how to locate what is
your State Policy re Identifying and responding
to abuse of older people? check it out google
____________________________
The NSW Government will establish
an Ageing and Disability
Commissioner from 1 July 2019, to
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PSYCHOGERIATRIC NURSE’S ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA (Inc.)
February 2019
better protect adults with disability
and older people from abuse, neglect
and exploitation in home and
community settings.
_________________________________
Also related…. Have you
heard of or checked out the
“Older Persons' Legal
Rights and Education
Program” through Legal Aid
NSW Who we are
The Older Persons' Legal and Education Program is a
specialist service of Legal Aid NSW run in
partnership with Seniors Rights Service. We provide
free legal information, advice and assistance to older
people to promote and protect their legal rights.
Who we help
Older people with issues such as later life legal
planning (wills, powers of attorney, guardianship
appointments), granny flat issues, issues to do with
family and financial arrangements, mortgage
problems, debt, housing, consumer issues, social
security and a range of other legal problems affecting
older people.
How we can help
Advice and assistance
Seniors Rights Service gives free independent legal
advice about all areas of law affecting older people
through its Older Persons Legal Service (OPLS),
including the areas listed above.
In some cases we may be able to help you with your
legal problem beyond just giving you advice. For
example, we may be able to write a letter or make a
phone call for you, or take some other action to try to
resolve your legal problem early.
Representation
We can prepare your case and represent you in court
if you are eligible for legal aid.
Education
We also give talks for groups of seniors and
community workers on topics like:
• elder abuse
• planning ahead (wills, powers of attorney, and
appointments of enduring guardianship)
• how to protect your assets if you want to help
your family financially
• reverse mortgages
• grandparents issues
Contact us
• Advice and assistance – contact Seniors Rights Service
• Education – for more information about a talk for your group call
1800 424 074 or visit the Seniors Right Service website.
Related information
We have produced a number of brochures on Legal
Issues for Older People:
• Adult children living at home. What to do if you
want them to leave?
• Moving in with the family? Make sure you
protect your interests
• Helping your family financially? Understand the
risks
• Are you experiencing violence or abuse? You can
make it stop
• Who will decide for you if you can't decide for
yourself? Think about planning ahead
• Your home and the age pension. What you need
to know
• Are you a grandparent? Your legal questions
answered
• Caring for kids in Aboriginal families: Know the
law - know your rights
• Do You Have A Legal Problem?
• Why make a will?
• Who gets my stuff after I die? Why wills are
important for Aboriginal people
• They want me to leave - staying in your home
when your partner dies • ____________________________________________________
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PSYCHOGERIATRIC NURSE’S ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA (Inc.)
February 2019
Are you thinking of going to a Conference, or
maybe some training…..Did you know PGNA
has scholarships available. To enable members, the Association makes available
scholarships for its members throughout the year on
application. The current maximum value of a
scholarship is $500. The amount is currently being
reviewed by the executive. More money can be
accessed on case by case basis.
If you are interested in applying for a
scholarship please check out the website for
details.
In the News!
Article From …October 2018
Chemical restraint in aged care – we can reduce use!
What are your thoughts and practices….
Fred was a resident with Alzheimer’s disease living at one of our aged care homes. He was a quiet man; in fact, Fred had not spoken for years. Like many people
with dementia he became agitated and upset, particularly around evening meals. He would refuse to eat at certain times. Two years ago Fred was prescribed a small dose of … Read more.......
____________________
At our PGNA Open Forum in November 2018 titled – “The Crisis Facing Psychogeriatrics” there were
numerous points raised in that discussion. One of the topics discussed was
“Psychogeriatric Nursing Workforce in Australia: An Endangered Species?” here
is a link to this article from International Psychogeriatric Association thanks to Dr Peter Brown for providing the link below: -
https://www.ipa-online.org/about/ipa-news-and-media/workforce-issues/psychogeriatric-nursing-workforce-in-australia-an-endangered-species
Another point discussed was membership to PGNA and an article of interest also. Thanks again to Peter Brown for the following links to opinion columns regarding reasons why young people are not joining Associations.
https://www.wildapricot.com/blogs/newsblog/2017/10/27/not-joining-associationshttps://blog.memberclicks.com
/bid/341274/Why-New-Grads-Aren-t-Joining-Your-Association
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February 2019
______________________________________________
Future CONFERENCES or Seminars
International Conference on Ageing and Spirituality – Old Parliament House Canberra. 27- 30th October 2019. Link- http://arts-ed.csu.edu.au/centres/accc/projects/8th-international-conference-on-ageing-and-spirtuality
AAG – Australian Association of Gerontology – National Conference – 5-8 November 2019, Sydney NSW. Theme: Coming of Age together, New Ways of Knowing and Acting. Also 5 pre Conference Workshops. See website for details
Are you interested or wanting to give information to the Aged Care Royal Commission – Have a look and subscribe to the Website to gain information. The PGNA is hoping to put together a submission to the Royal Commission.
The Aged Care Royal Commission
has announced details on its website about the matters which will be the subject of the first Adelaide Hearings to be held from Monday 11 February to Wednesday 13 February and then Monday 18 February to Friday 22 February 2019.
For further information please consult the Commission’s website at: https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/ and go to the Hearings page. Kind regards,
______________________________
Background to the
Homelessness Action Plan
project ……
The Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care,
the Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP, has commissioned an
action plan under the Aged Care Diversity
Framework for older people experiencing, or at risk
of homelessness (the Homelessness Action
Plan). This is part of the work towards realising the
Aged Care Diversity Framework’s vision that “All
older people experience a high-quality aged care
system that ensures equitable access and outcomes
and embraces their diverse characteristics and life
experiences”. The Diversity Sub-group of the Aged
Care Sector Committee is responsible for
development of the Homelessness Action Plan.
Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) is
working with a Reference Group and the Aged
Care Sector Committee Diversity Sub-group to
develop the Homelessness Action Plan.
Get involved
HAAG will adopt a rigorous, transparent, fair and
evidence-based approach to the development of the
Homelessness Action Plan. Consultation with a wide
range of stakeholders will occur through a series of
on-line surveys, individual telephone interviews and
face-to-face focus groups with key stakeholders.
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PSYCHOGERIATRIC NURSE’S ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA (Inc.)
February 2019
Respond to survey for
professionals and providers by 8
February 2019
Link to survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/homelessness_acti
on_plan_provider_survey
We want to hear from all professionals, providers
and services who work with older people, even those
that are not specialised in providing services to
people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. A
PDF of the professionals and providers survey is
available here so that you can prepare your answers
before opening the survey. You are able to edit your
survey responses until you submit the final question.
Respond to survey for older people by 8
February 2019
https://www.oldertenants.org.au/i-want-change/projects/aged-care-homelessness-action-plan
______________________________
2019 “Health Awareness” days /months
• February 13-24th Seniors Week
• April 16-22nd - National “Advanced Care
Planning” Week
• May 20-26th Dementia Action Week
previously Dementia Awareness
• June 11-17 Carers Week
• June 15th World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
• July 3rd week July! NADOC week
• August 20-26th - Be Medicinewise - Week
• September Dementia Awareness Month
• September 13th RU OK Day
• September 21st World Alzheimer’s Day
• October Mental Health Month
• October 8-14th Mental Health Week
• October 10th World Mental Health Day
• Has your service any Job
Vacancies to be filled – Maybe if
the time frame fits it can be
advertised in PGNA Newsletter!
Job Vacancies – closes 24th Feb 2019
To: [email protected]: Employmnet at St Vincent's Sydney Older Person Mental Health Service Hi, I am a colleague of David Burkes (Consultant Psychiatrist Older People’s mental Health Services, St Vincent’s) he has informed me that you would perhaps have the capacity of advertising the 2 below roles on the Psychogeriatric Nurses Association website? This would be greatly appreciated, both roles have the potential to offer the right person an opportunity to advanced their practice and skills. https://svha.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/SVHA_Sydney_Public/job/Darlinghurst-Sydney/Clinical-Nurse-Specialist-Level-2--CNS2-_JR105511-1 https://svha.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/SVHA_Sydney_Public/job/Darlinghurst-Sydney/Clinical-Nurse-Specialist-2_JR106045-1 Many thanks Sean Evans Sean Evans | Acting Operations Manager Mental
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February 2019
Health Service |The O'Brien Centre|St Vincent's
FROM THE AAG WEBSITE
Many of you would have heard of Ruth Bright…
Ruth Bright - a life in music therapy & gerontology
Dr Ruth Bright AM has been a long-standing member of AAG and has been President of the NSW Branch of AAG, as well as the Chair of the Gerontology Foundation of Australia.
Now retired, Ruth has been integrally involved with the establishment and development of music therapy in Australia, co-founding the World Federation of Music Therapy (serving as President from 1990 to 1993), as well serving as President of the Australian Music Therapy Association three times.
READ MORE ON AAG (Australian Association of Gerontology Website)
___________________________________
***********************************************
Some Photos From the Seniors Week
Event –
Loving Life in Late Life Valentines Day
February 2019!
Some Stats – thanks to Rod….
• Numbers Registered on Eventbrite= 152
• Registered but not attended = 40
• Registered on the day = 27 people.
• Total attended on the day= 139 persons.
THE FACULTY OF PSYCHIATRY OF OLD AGE (FPOA) & PSYCHOGERIATRIC NURSES ASSOCIATION (PGNA)
hosted a FREE consumer event for Seniors week.
Event Title: Loving Life in Late Life Lunch and Morning Tea were provided Date: 14th February 2019 Time: 9 – 3pm Venue: Club Burwood RSL – great venue also has an audio link for hearing impaired. There were a few Health Professionals there but the majority were seniors. The Australian Senior of the Year 2019, Sue Packer shared few words of wisdom with the audience. http://pgna.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Loving-Life-in-Late-Life-Program-14_2_2019.pdf Mr Michael West from Metropolotan Land Council
gave a very poignant “Welcome to Country” inviting
the audience to read from his message stick. He
talked about Humanity – we are all here together,
the importance (for all) about health and what
New Membership or Renewal still open….
Please note: To join or renew membership
– go to PGNA.org.au - click on the
Membership page tab - open the link that
says ‘click here’ Membership form, this
will take you straight to Eventbrite.
Application for Membership /Renewal of
Membership of the PGNA has been listed
as an "Event" on the Eventbrite Website. https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/pgna-
membership-2018-2019-tickets-
48754701625
PSYCHOGERIATRIC NURSE’S ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER February 2019 9 | P a g e
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February 2019
influences it ie Social determinants plus repecting
each other. Thank you Michael.
Dr Sid Williams presenting
Other highlights were Dr Sue Packer
– 2019 Senior Australian of the year
opening the proceedings.