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:

Fraser.Mclelland@health.nsw.gov.au 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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February 2019

To contribute to the next Newsletter please forward

the information to me ….

marianne.cummins1@gmail.com

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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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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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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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: rkpirotta@bigpond.comSubject: 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

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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.