CHANGING MINDS

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OLDER PEOPLE
2007-2010

ChangingMinds is a research and development project initiated by Central Union for the Welfare of the Aged and executed in collaboration with the city of Espoo, University of Kuopio, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, and Sibelius Academy.

The project consists of three thematic parts: depression, dementia with psychological and behavioural problems, and public perceptions and services of older people with mental health problems.


General goals are to

• enhance the psychological well-being of older people
• produce strategies and resources for prevention and alleviation of mental health problems in the aged
• study public perceptions and understandings of mental health issues of older people
• consider mental health policy objectives with respect to practices of the public service system

The project includes two extensive interventions aiming at

• development of a comprehensive support model for depressed older people
• development of a multiprofessional support model for demented people with psychological and behavioural symptoms in long–term care

ChangingMinds aims at enhancing the psychological well-being, quality of life, and empowerment of older people and their carers.

Alongside the client-centered goals, we also aim at rationalizing the use of services and optimizing their cost, and increasing the sense of meaningfulness of work in professional in the field.

ChangingMinds is funded by the Finnish Slot Machine Association