The National Service Framework for Older People (NSF) was published by the Government in March 2001 to set standards for the development of Health and Social services for older people. These standards apply whether an older person is being cared for at home, in a residential setting, or in a hospital.

The aim of the NSF, which is to be financed by an extra £1.4 billion to be invested every year by 2004, is to ensure:
High-quality care and treatment, regardless of age.
That older people are treated as individuals, with respect and dignity.
Fair resources for conditions which most affect older people.
The easing of the financial burden of long term residential care.

To see the whole of the National Service Framework for Older People

Mental Health
Standard seven deals specifically with the mental health of Older People
and focuses on health promotion, and support and treatment for people with depression or dementia.
It aims to improve prevention, care and treatment by :

Promoting mental health
· combat social isolation, bereavment support, suicide prevention
· stimulating activities for older people in residential, nursing and day care, + environmental factors

Early recognition and management of mental health problems
· protocols for integration of primary, specialist and Social Services care
· support for carers
· single assessment process
· social care to keep people at home

Access to specialist care
· Specialist services to diagnose and treat mental health disorders - promoting independence and community-based support
· in-patient treatment with psychological and physical treatments
· development of specialist places in care homes

Mental Health Services for Older People are to be delivered by In-patient units and by joint health and social services Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT)s for older people. They must jointly must operate to the following general standards by:

- Responding to individual needs, and cultural differences
- Providing high quality evidence-based care for depression/dementia
- Supporting for carers
- Providing community-oriented seamless services that are
- Comprehensive, accessible, responsive, individualised, accountable, and systematic.

Community Mental Health Teams comprising:
Consultant Psychiatrist
Community Mental Health Nurses
Clinical Psychologists
Occupational Therapists
Social Workers

should provide: (wherever practicable)

· Care at home
· Out-Patient Departments including combined clinics with age care - in health centres and other community settings, with home follow ups
· Outreach facilities, including telecare, environmental technologies
· Day care

Hospital services should provide :

· Acute admission wards, rehabilitation beds
· Day hospitals for intensive assessment and treatment, including aftercare and longer term rehab.
· Memory clinics

Additionally Mental Health Services for Older People should provide:

Short-term breaks and other support for carers - including out of hours and weekends

A care co-ordinator from the core team for every person in touch with the specialist service

Training for other services. Liaison with primary care to train in screening for cognitive impairment, depression and suicide risk. Training in different cultural backgrounds.

Specialist services to provide advice and outreach to primary care, residential/nursing homes and sheltered housing, domiciliary care, day care, hospitals

Working arrangements and protocols for referrals with other services (including social care) to ensure continuity of care between adult mental health services and older people mental health services; age care and mental health to ensure prompt assessment/treatment; treatment protocols for antidementia drugs

Specialist teams to link with voluntary organizations