Background

Why are these skills important and who are they for?

This resource describes the skills required by those working with older people in mental health and addiction settings. It outlines the skills and knowledge needed to support older people and whānau accessing these services to have positive experiences and outcomes.

A workforce responsive to older people’s needs is essential given the rapidly growing and more ethnically diverse aging population. The importance of responding to older people’s needs is highlighted in Kia Manawanui Aotearoa: Long-term pathway to mental wellbeing¹ and Oranga Hinengaro – System and Service Framework.²

The indicators have been developed for specialist older people mental health and addiction services; and adult mental health and addiction services (Te Whatu Ora, non-government organisation [NGO], or cultural) that support older people.

Mental health challenges and addiction are common among older people and are often under recognised. Older people experiencing these challenges deserve support to live fulfilling and enriching lives, filled with hope.

More Skills for Working with Older People in Mental Health and Addiction Services (More Skills for Working with Older People) has been developed to align with, rather than replace, professional competency frameworks. The skills are applicable to a range of roles, including clinical (such as nurses, psychiatrists, allied health); the support workforce; and cultural, lived experience and broader roles.

Relationship to Keeping it Real | Kia Pono te Tika

More Skills for Working with Older People builds on Keeping it Real I Kia Pono te Tika (previously Let’s get real).

Keeping it Real |Kia Pono te Tika describes the values, attitudes, knowledge, and skills required for working effectively with all people and whānau experiencing addiction and/or mental health challenges. It outlines the essential and enhanced level skills required across all health settings for working with tāngata whai ora.

More Skills for Working with Older People is specifically tailored to workforces supporting older people accessing mental health and/or addiction services. It includes indicators at the enhanced level for working with older people. While some indicators are focused on supporting older people with dementia, this is not a dementia-focused framework.

It is expected those using More Skills for Working with Older People will also use and demonstrate proficiency at the essential and enhanced levels of Keeping it Real I Kia Pono te Tika, as well as the values and attitudes it describes.

Development

More Skills for Working with Older People has been developed with, and informed by, extensive sector and stakeholder engagement. This includes technical, cultural and lived experience perspectives; a literature review; and expert advisory input and review from a range of people and roles working with older people.

More Skills for Working with Older People

As listed below, this resource is based on the seven Real Skills outlined in Keeping it Real I Kia Pono te Tika.

1. Working alongside tāngata whai ora
2. Working alongside tāngata whenua
3. Working alongside whānau
4. Working within communities
5. Challenging discrimination
6. Applying law, policy, and standards
7. Maintaining learning and kaimahi wellbeing.

The following sections outline the indicators for each Real Skill relevant to working with older people. The descriptions of each Real Skill and the expected outcomes reflect those in Keeping it Real I Kia Pono te Tika.