Older Adult Mental Health Services

Mental health and wellbeing services for older adults in inpatient, community and residential care settings across Melbourne’s Southeastern Metropolitan area.

Who can use our services?

• Our services are designed for older adults, usually over 65 years, who have a mental health condition or problems with memory and thinking. Younger people can also use our services if their mental health issues are linked to ageing.
• We support residents in Melbourne’s Southeastern Metropolitan area, including the council areas of Glen Eira, Kingston, Monash, Bayside, Greater Dandenong, Casey, Cardinia and some suburbs in Frankston.

Services we offer

• Help for people with complex mental health issues, risky behaviours, or dementia-related symptoms.
• Assessment, diagnosis and treatment for a variety of mental health conditions and neurocognitive disorders
• Advice and support for other health professionals, including Monash Health’s Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing Services.
• Guidance and advocacy to ensure people get the right services at the right time.
• Education and support for families, carers, aged care staff, and health professionals involved in a person’s care.
• Shared care with primary health providers (like GPs and private psychiatrists) and local mental health services.

For people seeking to access our service

We understand that finding the right mental health support can be difficult, especially for older adults. Our service is designed to provide personalised care and support for older adults facing mental health challenges or dementia. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, we are here to guide you through the process and ensure you receive the care you need.

How we can help

• We offer both short-term and ongoing support tailored to your needs.
• Our team works closely with families and carers to make sure everyone involved is supported.
• Our goal is to help improve the quality of life for older adults in our community.

How to access our service

• Please visit our ‘Referral’ section to learn about how to access our services or reach out to us for more information.

For health professionals

We work closely with health professionals to ensure seamless care for older adults with mental health concerns. If you are a GP, psychiatrist, or healthcare provider, we offer consultation, assessment, and ongoing support to meet the needs of your patients.

How to refer

• We accept referrals through our streamlined process. Please visit the ‘Referral’ section for detailed instructions on how to refer a patient to our service.

What we offer health professionals

• A Single Session Consultation and advice on managing complex mental health issues in older adults.
• Collaborative care and shared decision-making with your team.
• Educational resources to help support your practice in caring for older adults with mental health needs.

Referrals

Referral Information

Referrals can be made by anyone involved in the person’s care, or the person can refer themselves. For assistance or to make a referral, please contact:

For further assistance or to make a referral, please contact:

Older Adult Triage

Phone: 9265 1750

Email: apmhstriage@monashhealth.org

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm

For out-of-hours support, contact the Psychiatric Triage Service (PTS) on 1300 369 012. In case of an emergency, call 000 immediately.

Our Teams

At Monash Health Aged Mental Health, we have a range of specialised teams dedicated to supporting older adults with mental health and wellbeing needs. Here’s an overview of the teams within our service:

Older Adult Triage

The Older Adult Triage team is the first point of contact for individuals seeking access to the service. This team of clinical specialists provides high-quality information, screening, and navigation support to those referred to the Older Adult Mental Health Service. The Triage team is responsible for generating appropriate responses from the relevant community teams and facilitating admissions to the Older Adult Inpatient Units when necessary.

Intensive Community Treatment (ICT) Team

The ICT team provides a vital alternative to hospitalisation for older adults facing acute mental health challenges. The team focuses on:

• Offering an alternative treatment setting to hospitalisation during acute phases of mental illness, aiming to prevent hospitalisation when possible.
• Delivering intensive treatment in the client’s home, in line with the preferences of the individual and their family.
• Reducing inpatient stays by providing Assertive Community Treatment during acute episodes of illness.
  The ICT team operates Monday to Friday, 8:30am–8pm, and weekends/public holidays from 8:30am–5pm.

Inpatient Units

The Inpatient Units provide intensive care for older adults who require hospitalisation due to acute mental health conditions or behaviours of concern. The teams within these units offer comprehensive treatment, medical management, and input from a wide range of Allied Health professionals. The goal of the Inpatient Units is to provide a safe, supportive environment where individuals can stabilise, receive appropriate care, and begin their recovery journey. After stabilisation, patients are supported in transitioning back to the community or residential care settings.

The Older Adult Mental Health Service operates two inpatient units:

• Biala (20 beds) located at Kingston Centre
• Unit 3 (20 beds) located at Dandenong Hospital

Both units are equipped to manage complex mental health and behavioural issues, ensuring individuals receive the highest level of care during their recovery.

Aged Persons Assessment and Treatment Team (APATT)

The APATT team provides community-based treatment for older adults with complex and persistent mental health issues. This team assesses, diagnoses, and manages mental health conditions and neurocognitive disorders. APATT focuses on providing treatment in the consumer’s own environment, when possible, and connects them to relevant community services, including primary care. The team plays a key role in preventing relapse and hospital admissions, delivering treatment in the least restrictive manner.

Residential Support Program (RSP)

The RSP offers mental health assessment, treatment, and behavioural management to older adults residing in Commonwealth-funded Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs). The program supports individuals with mental health issues or dementia-related behaviours of concern, ensuring they receive appropriate care and treatment in their residential setting.

Psychogeriatric Nursing Home (PGNH) In-Reach Team

This team provides specialised mental health support for residents in Monash Health’s three designated psychogeriatric Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs):

• Mooraleigh Hostel
• Chestnut Gardens – The Avenue
• Allambee Nursing Homes

The PGNH In-Reach Team offers a multidisciplinary approach to mental health treatment, overseeing complex care and behavioural management for residents. The team also supports facility staff in managing behaviours of concern and provides ongoing mental health treatment.

Other services

Consultation Liaison (CL) Service: The CL service supports mental health consumers admitted to the Monash Health Kingston Centre for physical health treatment. Staffed by a Consultant Psychiatrist, Senior Nurse, and Mental Health Registrar, the team provides comprehensive mental health treatment, secondary consultation, and discharge planning. Referrals are accepted only from the consumer’s medical treating team.

Primary Care Transition Coordinator: The Primary Care Transition Coordinator works closely with General Practitioners (GPs) to ensure a smooth transition for older adults with mental health needs from community services back into primary care. This role supports transition to primary care and provides streamlined access for GPs to the service including brief consultation where a comprehensive assessment is not required.