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Policy Context for Mental Health and Older People

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Mental Health and Older People

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Abstract

The ‘problem’ of old age dominated post-war old age policy and practice, and for years after its abolition in 1948, the Poor Law continued to exert a considerable influence on progress in policy and practice. Expectations about the care of older people were low, fuelled by assumptions of inevitable decline, and institutional care continued to be the assumed means by which formal care was provided. Mental health services continued to be dogged by low expectations and the marginalisation both of older people with mental health problems and gerontological mental health services. Since the 1980’s there has been a significant growth in the development of policy which has in turn led to improvement in services. This chapter reviews key mental health and ageing policy and argues that while there is evidence of positive change and improvement, significant areas of development remain.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gerontological Social Work and Programme, School of Social Science and Public Policy, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, UK

    Mo Ray PhD

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  1. Mo Ray PhD
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Correspondence to Mo Ray PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Keele University, Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire, United Kingdom

    Carolyn A. Chew-Graham

  2. Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom

    Mo Ray

Appendix 4.1 Useful Resources/Further Reading

Appendix 4.1 Useful Resources/Further Reading

Kings Fund Centre ‘Enhancing the Healing Environment’ (http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/projects/enhancing-healing-environment/completed-projects)

Resources and information to support the development of positive environments in collective care settings. Website includes material on dementia-friendly design.

Mental Health Foundation (2013) Getting on… with life: Baby boomers, mental health and ageing, London, Mental Health Foundation http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/getting-on-full-report/

Mind Matters Mental Health and Older People Future Focus Films limited https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63f0lRvdB5s

Twenty-minute DVD raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing for older people. Interviews with older people experience psychological and emotional distress, their experience of illness and service use.

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Ray, M. (2016). Policy Context for Mental Health and Older People. In: Chew-Graham, C., Ray, M. (eds) Mental Health and Older People. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29492-6_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29492-6_4

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