The Evergreen Programme is a group based programme designed to provide for the needs of service users aged 65 years and older at St Patrick's Mental Health Services. The ‘Evergreen’ title symbolises strength over adversity and is reflective of the programmes aim to actively engage and support older adults in their journey of recovery and well-being.
What is the content of the Evergreen Programme?
Older adults may experience particularly complex interactions between mental health problems (such as depression or anxiety), cognitive difficulties (such as dementia), and chronic physical illnesses that may be associated with ageing, a complexity that is effectively addressed by the Mental Health of Older Adults Service who delivers the Evergreen Programme.
The content of the Evergreen Programme is responsive and adaptive to the diverse needs of older adults and those who care for them, exploring various key themes including:
- Growing older and changing patterns of activity
- Social relationships and maintaining friendships
- Caring for others, caring for self
- Maintaining mental well-being
- Safety at home and in the community
- Understanding and managing medications
- Community mobility and transportation
- Making the most of your memory
- Maintaining physical well-being
- Spirituality
Who delivers the Evergreen Programme?
The Evergreen Programme is facilitated by all members of the Mental Health of Older Adults Service and incorporates a broad range of inputs and approaches designed to meet the diverse needs of older adults living with or risk of relapse from mental illness, including psychiatry, occupational therapy, social work, psychology, pharmacy, physiotherapy and nursing.
The programme is also supported by a number of activities and volunteer staff who provide opportunities for engagement in varied diversional activities including arts and crafts, pet therapy, computers and exercise.
How do I access the Evergreen Programme?
The Evergreen Programme is a group based programme designed for in-patients aged 65 years and older at St. Patricks Mental Health Services. Access to the programme is by referral only through your multi-disciplinary team (MDT).
Following referral to the Evergreen Programme, the coordinator will meet with you to provide further information relating to the content of the programme and how it may address your individual needs. You will be provided with an induction pack which includes a ‘Group Timetable’ and other relevant information.
How long will I attend the Evergreen Programme?
The Evergreen Programme is facilitated over a period of 4 weeks. However, depending on each participant’s individual needs this time period may be shortened or extended as required.
Evergreen Programme Groups
The content of groups is based on recovery principles and aims to empower and support older adults living with mental health difficulties and illnesses in their journey of recovery and well-being.
The following information provides a brief overview of the content of the various groups:
Psychiatry- ‘Doctor's Wellness Discussions’
The ‘Doctor’s Wellness Discussion’ groups focus on health topics of direct relevance to older adults with reference to the concept of quality of life as a key marker of how we perceive our health status.
The groups discuss various issues ranging from physical illness (with emphasis on prevention and taking personal responsibility for one’s own health) to the meeting of key emotional needs and attainment of greater psychological wellbeing in later life.
The life stages and developmental challenges that accompany later life are continually alluded to in group, as are strategies to overcome personal obstacles or setbacks in our environment, thus building resilience and increasing our expectations of life in later years.
Occupational Therapy- ‘Creating a Wellness Lifestyle’
The ‘Occupational Therapy’ group focuses on empowering participants to enact positive lifestyle changes, altering their approaches to daily activities and routines in order to enhance functionality, health and well-being.
Group sessions provide an overview of topics relevant to older adults, including maintaining a balanced and satisfying lifestyle; productivity/work; caring for self and others; leisure enhancement; safety at home and in the community; and community mobility and transportation issues.
Social Work- ‘Changes and Transitions’
The ‘Social Work’ group explores the various role transitions and changes associated with the ageing process, as well as the importance of building and sustaining a strong support network in later years.
Group sessions provide an overview of relevant topics including losses in later life; understanding grief; building resilience; and steps towards creating a strong support system. Occasionally, other topics such as elder abuse and community services/supports will be reviewed.
Pharmacy- ‘Safe Use of Medications’
The ‘Pharmacy’ group covers a range of topics including common psychiatric drug treatments, how ageing can affect drug treatments as well as general information relevant to all medicines. Strategies to improve medication awareness and monitoring are explored and advice is given on how to deal with common drug side effects.
Nursing- ‘Activity Group’
The ‘Nursing’ group explores a broad range of topics relevant to maintaining the mental and physical well-being of older adults. Group sessions explore such topics as sleep hygiene; maintaining safety; falls prevention; medication compliance and positive goal setting.
Psychology- ‘Mind Matters’
The ‘Psychology’ group focuses on exploring changes to cognition and memory as part of the normal ageing process. Strategies to make the most of mental abilities in later life are explored.
Activity/Volunteer Groups
Various activity and volunteer groups are held as part of the programme which promotes participation in various diversional activities including pet therapy, exercise and computers.