1. Referral reasons to a Victorian mental health triage service for individuals living with young-onset dementia.
- Author
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Loi, Samantha M. and Velakoulis, Dennis
- Subjects
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HOME care services , *MENTAL health services , *BEHAVIOR modification , *SUICIDAL ideation , *PARANOIA , *RETROSPECTIVE studies , *AGITATION (Psychology) , *ANXIETY , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *CHI-squared test , *AGE factors in disease , *AGGRESSION (Psychology) , *DEMENTIA , *DATA analysis software , *MEDICAL referrals , *MEDICAL triage , *MENTAL depression , *RESIDENTIAL care - Abstract
Objectives: Mental health triage services are the first contact for people wanting support for their mental health and provide access to public mental health services in Victoria, Australia. People living with young-onset dementia and their families may contact triage services seeking assistance for behaviour changes and pathways to care as there are few alternative services available. Methods: The authors reviewed the minimum triage dataset from one of the largest mental health services in Victoria, Australia from 2018 to 2021 investigating reasons for referral for people with young-onset dementia. Results: Of the 1766 referrals for 'dementia', 145 were for young-onset dementia. Of these, 69% were referred for behaviour changes. About half of the referrals for behaviour changes were triaged as 'advice only'. One-third of referrals were from general practitioners. Conclusions: The availability of dementia-specific support services that could provide advice on dementia as well as advice for behaviour changes related to the disease could potentially ease the burden of phone calls received by mental health triage services. What is known about the topic? Young-onset dementia refers to a dementia with onset at less than 65 years of age. People with young-onset dementia may contact mental health services for support but the reasons for contact are unknown. What does this paper add? The reasons for contacting one Victorian mental health service included behaviour changes such as agitation or aggression and psychotic symptoms (74%) and general advice, including about dementia pathways (14%). General practitioners made up one-third of referral sources. What are the implications for practitioners? Victorian mental health services are generally overloaded and complex. There is a need to promote alternative dementia support organisations in order to provide an alternative contact for people affected by young-onset dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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