Policies, strategies, frameworks and resources to support mental health improvement in later life include:
Adding Life to Years [external site] (2002) A report that explains why older people should be encouraged to be physically and mentally active, and why NHS Boards should work to raise awareness of older people’s mental health issues. All Our Futures: Planning for a Scotland with an Ageing Population [external site] (2007) A paper that expresses commitments to: continuing to promote health improvement for older people, focusing on mental health and wellbeing, physical activity, smoking prevention, better diet and a sensible approach to alcohol. Alzheimer’s Scotland [external site] Alzheimer’s Scotland has various resources on issues surrounding Alzheimer's disease. Better Health, Better Care: Action Plan [external site] (2007) A report that outlines a need to do more to enhance, support and improve people's mental wellbeing. It refers to concerns raised by the Care Commission and expresses a commitment to work with care providers and NHS professionals to ensure that people in care homes have appropriate access to both primary and specialist healthcare services. Co-ordinated,integrated and fit for purpose: A Delivery Framework for Adult Rehabilitation in Scotland [external site] (2007) A brief that states that, while it is important to focus on the needs of the frailest older people in our communities, it is also vital to promote independence for older people who are well. equally well [external site] (2008) A report that outlines mental wellbeing as a priority, and refers to an association between access to green space and greater life expectancy in older people. The report also highlights income maximisation. Mental Health and Wellbeing in Later Life: Integrated Health Improvement Development Programme [external site] (2009) A report of the Mental Health and Wellbeing in Later Life Integrated Health Improvement Development Programme which aims to promote healthy ageing through disseminating research findings, building older people’s engagement capacity at all levels and developing educations resources. Healthy Eating, Active Living: An action plan to improve diet, increase physical activity and tackle obesity (2008-2011) [external site] (2008) A report that recognises that good nutrition and being physically active play a vital part in the wellbeing and health of older people, contributing to reducing the risk of, or delaying, disease. let’s make scotland more active [external site] (2003) A report that states that in later life inactive people lose their basic strength and flexibility for daily activities, with many thus losing independence and having poorer mental health. Lothian Mental Health Improvement Programme [external site] (2007) Report of a research project on the opportunities and challenges in promoting mental health and wellbeing among care home residents. Promoting mental health and well-being in later life [external site] (2006) A paper that recognises that mental health and wellbeing in later life will benefit the whole of society by maintaining older people’s social and economic contributions, minimising the costs of care and improving quality of life. Recommendations to inform the Scottish Government’s action plan to promote a mentally healthy later life in Scotland [external site] (2010) Recommendations from the Towards a Mentally Flourishing Scotland Mentally Healthy Later Life Reference group to inform Scottish Government's action plan to promote a mentally healthy later life in Scotland. research in brief 11: Older women and domestic violence in Scotland [external site] (2003) This briefing paper is a summary of the research commissioned, on behalf of Health Scotland, to produce a piece of research summarising existing knowledge and gaps in the understanding of domestic violence in older women national care standards: care homes for older people [external site] (2007) A report that includes statements that people in care homes will have opportunities to take part in physical activities in, or outside, the home. SUPPORT Project: Mentally healthy later life [external site] The European Pact for Mental Health and Well-being covers five thematic areas in mental health. Within these, common horizontal threads ensure comparability and compatibility between actions. "Time for me…" [external site] (2010) A qualitative study of the impact of complementary therapies for older people from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities and carers of people with mental health problems. Towards a Mentally Flourishing Scotland: Policy and Action Plan 2009-2011 [external site] (2009) ‘Mentally healthy later life’ is one of six identified strategic priorities in Towards a Mentally Flourishing Scotland: Policy and Action Plan. NHS Health Scotland [external site] has produced various written resources around mental health in later life: