Depression in older Australians program to shade November 13 blue
October 25, 2007A new Rural Health Education Foundation program airing on Tuesday 13 November looks at best practice multi-disciplinary interventions for depression in older Australians
Another Shade of Blue: Depression in Older Australians, funded by beyondblue - the national depression initiative, assists health professionals to challenge some of the myths and promote a better understanding of depression to older people in their practice settings.
The program also encourages health professionals to promote a healthy and active lifestyle and a positive approach to ageing.
Featuring a panel of experts
The all new program, which airs on the Foundation’s satellite network at 8pm (EST) on Tuesday 13 November, with a repeat at 12.30pm on Friday 16 November, brings together an expert panel.
Chaired by Dr Norman Swan, Presenter of the Health Report on ABC Radio National, the panel includes Professor David Clarke, Professor in the School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine at Monash University; Dr Louise Stone, GP, Sydney Institute of General Practice Education and Training; Associate Professor Gerard Byrne, Psychiatrist, Head of Psychiatry, University of Queensland; and Dr Jane Sims, Psychologist, Senior Research Fellow, Healthy Ageing Research Unit, Monash University.
Not a normal part of ageing
Depression is not a normal part of ageing. It is an illness that can have serious consequences if not treated. The common symptoms of depression, such as loss of interest in life, poor sleep, poor concentration and memory, apprehension and chronic unexplained pain are often incorrectly attributed by health professionals to old age, dementia or just poor health. Generally older people are less likely to report or even acknowledge being sad, down or depressed than other age groups.
More information
For full details of the program, visit the Another Shade of Blue: Depression in Older Australians program page.