Depression in residential aged care

Why your visits to family members in aged care matter more than you may think

Regular family visits really help lift the spirits of aged care residents, keeping them connected and engaged and reminding them of times past, when they were more active with family.

Depression in residential aged care

The impact of family visits on residents’ wellbeing

Depression in residential aged care is a big challenge, and it’s often tied to loneliness and feeling isolated. Unfortunately, a lot of aged care residents deal with this. Family visits can really help lift their spirits and improve their mental health, but when COVID-19 hit and visits were restricted here in Victoria, it made things even harder. 

“Many of us felt the effects of isolation during the pandemic, but for our aged care residents, the impact was even more significant. Even though at Hope we maintained family visits throughout the pandemic, visits were necessarily shorter and harder to attend if the family lived outside the restricted zone, leading to a sense of isolation and increased confusion in some cases.”

Bashar Bitar
Bashar Bitar
Operations Manager Hope Aged Care Melbourne & Swan Hill
While we may be past the strict lockdowns, the importance of family visits is something that we should not underestimate.

Depression in the elderly

Family visits and depression

A study called Family visits and depression among residential aged care residents: An integrative review by Josh D L Tan and colleagues (2023) explored the connection between family visits and depression in aged care. 

The research found that depression rates among aged care residents can be as high as 58.7%, with social isolation being one of the major contributors. According to the study, 40% of the research reviewed showed a clear link between regular family visits and lower rates of depression.

“It’s not just about the number of visits but the quality of the time spent together. For many residents, even a short visit can lift their spirits.” 

Cath McDonald
Service Manager Hope Aged Care Brunswick

Family visits help reduce feelings of loneliness and make residents feel connected to the people who care about them. And this connection can make all the difference in helping them cope with the challenges of ageing, especially when dealing with health issues or the adjustment to living in aged care. 

However, the study also pointed out that depression in aged care isn’t just about whether or not family visits happen. Other factors like culture, the resident’s personal circumstances, and the involvement of care staff also play a role.

Depression in residential aged care

“But the bottom line is that regular visits from family members have a real, positive impact on the mental wellbeing of aged care residents.” 

Cath McDonald
Service Manager Hope Aged Care Brunswick

Loneliness in the elderly

Why every visit matters

While family visits are incredibly beneficial, we also have to remember that not all residents have family who are able to visit often. Some may have lost many of their loved ones, while others have family members who are busy with work, kids, or live far away. This doesn’t mean the importance of visits should be downplayed. In fact, it means we need to stress just how much even the smallest of visits can do.

If you have a loved one in aged care, it’s easy to think, “They’ll be fine; they’re being looked after.” And yes, while their physical needs are being met, there’s an emotional aspect that only personal connections can fill. 

“Loneliness and social isolation are very real problems for many older people, and visits from family can help bridge that gap. Even a quick chat, bringing along a family photo, or simply sitting together can brighten their day and help them feel more connected.” 

Ali Ibrahim
Ali Ibrahim
Service Manager Hope Aged Care Gladstone Park & Sunshine

Visiting aged care facilities in Victoria

What we do at Hope Aged Care

At Hope Aged Care in Melbourne and Swan Hill, we understand how vital it is to look after the mental health of our residents. Family visits are important, and we do everything we can to make it easy for families to spend time with their loved ones. But we also know that sometimes, for various reasons, regular visits aren’t always possible. 

That’s why we have a range of services and activities to support the wellbeing of our residents. We offer allied health care, which includes professional support to help with physical and emotional health, making sure our residents get the care they need in a holistic way. For families who need a break or are unable to visit regularly, we provide respite care, giving them peace of mind that their loved ones are being looked after.

Depression in residential aged care

“Plus, our lifestyle activities play a big role in helping residents stay socially connected and active. From group activities to special events, there’s always something happening to keep residents engaged and provide opportunities for social interaction.” 

Bashar Bitar
Bashar Bitar
Operations Manager Hope Aged Care Melbourne & Swan Hill

These activities are designed not just to fill time, but to help fight feelings of loneliness and isolation, and we’ve seen firsthand how much of a difference they can make. 

Hope Aged Care Melbourne & Swan Hill

Conclusion

Family visits can have a profound effect on the mental wellbeing of older people in aged care, especially when it comes to reducing feelings of depression. While not every resident has regular family visitors, each visit – no matter how small – can help lift their spirits. But we also know that depression is complex and influenced by other factors, which is why at Hope Aged Care, we offer a range of services to support both the physical and mental health of our residents. 

Want to know more about this topic or about how Hope Aged Care tackles loneliness and feelings of depression?

Entry into Hope Aged Care Homes

There are two types of fees payable in the aged care

1: Daily Care Fee
2: Accommodation Payment

1: Daily Care fee: The daily fee consists of:

  • Basic Daily Care Fee: Every person in residential aged care is required to pay a Basic Daily Fee, which covers all levels of care and assistance. The basic daily fee is approximately 85% of the single person rate of the basic age pension. The government sets the price on 20 March and 20 September each year, changing in line with increases to the aged pension.

    Prices are published on the Department of Health website.

     

  • Means Tested Care Fee: The government requires those who can afford to contribute more towards their care to do so. As such, the Department of Human Services will determine if a resident is required to pay a Means Tested Care Fee in addition to Basic Daily Fee. This amount is based on an assessment of the new resident’s income and assets. Potential residents will be notified if a Means Tested Care Fee is payable when they receive their Centrelink Assessment letter. There are yearly and lifetime Maximum Means Tested Care Fees. The Maximum Means Tested Care Fee you can be asked to pay is $31,706.83 each year or $76,096.50 in your lifetime. These caps are indexed and change each time there is an increase in the aged pension. We recommend you seek independent financial advice.

2: Accommodation Payment:

The total Accommodation Payment amount will vary depending on the accommodation type chosen by the resident. The payment method is also determined by the resident, who can choose between paying a RAD (Refundable Accommodation Deposit), a DAP (Daily Accommodation Payment) or a combination of both.

  • Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD): A Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) is a one-off lump sum payment made to the aged care provider. It varies according to the room chosen by the resident. The RAD is fully refundable on departure. Upon payment of the RAD the resident must be left a minimum of $57,000 in cash / assets. If the RAD is paid in full within 7 days of admission no interest will be charged. The deposit is fully refunded when you leave the aged care residence, less any amounts you have agreed to have deducted. Those residents transferring to another aged care residence or returning home will have their RAD refunded within 14 days from discharge. In the case of a deceased resident, the RAD will be refunded within 14 days of receipt of a certified copy of the Grant of Probate.

  • Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) A Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) is a rental-type payment. Instead of paying for your accommodation in full (as a RAD) an ongoing daily payment can be selected. The DAP is calculated by multiplying the agreed RAD amount by the government legislated interest rate (currently 7.9% per annum)

  • COMBINATION PAYMENT (RAD + DAP) You can opt to pay part of the accommodation payment as a lump sum RAD and then the balance via DAP payments. DAP payments will be calculated based on the outstanding RAD amount. If you choose a combination of RAD and DAP and you elect to have the DAP taken from the RAD, your DAP payment will increase over time as the RAD amount is reduced.

There are more payment options like RAC and DAC for partially supported residents.

Please reach out to one of our financial department staff for more clarification on [email protected]