Caring



	Marking a formal kick-off for the programme (L-R): Mr T K Udairam (CEO, CGH), Minister Lim Boon Heng (GOH), Dr See Hung Foo (Dy Chairman, Medical Board, Director of Clinical Services, CGH), and Dr Ng Li Ling.

Tackling Greying Matters
CGH rolled out new Community Psychogeriatric Programme
to aid elderly in improving mental health

CGH Psychological Medicine Division has a new programme to help improve the mental health of the elderly.

The Community Psychogeriatric Programme (CPGP) is part of the National Mental Health Blueprint that aims to build Singapore into a mentally resilient society.

Mr Lim Boon Heng, Minister-in-Charge of Ageing Issues, Prime Minister's Office, was our Guest-of-Honour at the programme's launch on 3 November 2007 at CGH Training Centre.

The issue of community care for the elderly has become more pressing over the years. It is projected that by the year 2030, the proportion of elderly in Singapore will increase from 8.4 per cent to 19 per cent, with the number of people aged 65 years and above increasing from 306,500 in 2006 to 794,000 in 2030.

With this rapid increase, mental health problems in the elderly will become a major cause of disability. The National Mental Health Survey showed that the prevalence of dementia in those aged above 60 years to be 5.2 per cent while the prevalence of depression was 3.1 per cent.

"Unfortunately, these disorders are often unidentified," said CPGP Project Director, Dr Ng Li Ling, Senior Consultant of Psychological Medicine.

Referral information for clinical visits:

The referral has to be made by a medical practitioner. Clients must live within the districts administered by the Northeast and Southeast CDCs. Referral forms can be downloaded from our website at www.cgh.com.sg/medical/psychological.asp

Please fax the completed form to 6787 3013. The CPGP team will inform the referring person regarding the outcome of the referral. Appropriate charges apply for clinical visits. For enquiries, please call
6850 1840 / 41 or
email CPGP@cgh.com.sg

One reason is a lack of knowledge among the elderly, their caregivers and health and social providers about mental illnesses and the healthcare resources available. As a result, many elderly with mild mental health problems are not identified, and their conditions remain undiagnosed until complications arise.

Some elderly are also reluctant to seek mental health treatment. Some others may be physically disabled and unable to travel to healthcare facilities.

"Mental illnesses when left untreated will adversely affect the quality of life of older persons and their families," she added.

Dr Ng, who is a Psychogeriatrician, was tasked by MOH to develop CPGP to tackle some of these issues. Her team is multidisciplinary, and consists of geriatric psychiatrists, geriatric and psychiatric nurses, clinical psychologist, medical social workers, occupational therapist, and physiotherapist.

They will work with staff of eldercare agencies and general practitioners (GPs) to create awareness about mental health problems in the elderly, to detect such problems early and to plan appropriate interventions.

To this end, the team will adopt a three-pronged approach. First, CGH will build community capabilities by training General Practitioners (GPs) and staff in eldercare agencies such as the Senior Activity Centres and Day Care Centres to recognise and manage mental health problems in the elderly.

Second, a community network linking the eldercare agencies, GPs and hospitals will be built so that the appropriate referral, assessment and management can be made. Third, to reach out to mentally ill elderly who are unable or unwilling to see a doctor at the hospital, the CPGP team will visit them at home.

The pilot phase of the CPGP in 2007 will cover the areas administered by the Northeast and Southeast CDCs (Community Development Councils). The programme will be extended progressively to cover the entire country by 2010.