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Picture taken by a Photo Walk participant . Picture : Supplied / UniSC
Dr Tricia King and Dr Daniel Wadsworth with participant Eric Gallagher . Picture : Supplied / UniSC
Pictures of health
A photography project addresses mental health for older Australians
By Erin Morley
A
‘ Photo Walk ’ project for older Australians conducted by the University of the Sunshine Coast ( UniSC ) in September found walking and socialising improved their mental and physical health .
The eight-week ‘ walk-and-talk ’ style sessions had nine participants from inhome care provider Comlink , aged 73 to 86 , explore nature and take photos together ; reporting that interacting with new people , engaging in an artistic outlet and being outdoors increased their mental health and wellbeing .
The participants visited nature reserves on the Sunshine Coast to snap their photos including the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve , Maroochy Botanic Gardens and the Maroochy Wetlands .
October is Mental Health Month , with World Mental Health Day on October 10 . Many older Australians experience feelings of isolation , loneliness and depression due to a range of factors , including the loss of important social supports , poor physical health , and limited cognitive capacity . Co-leader of Photo Walk Dr Dan Wadsworth , senior lecturer in health at UniSC , is passionate about providing services to support health and wellbeing among the ageing population . He says that poor mental health should not be considered a ‘ normal ’ part of ageing .
Dr Wadsworth says connection to nature can reduce stress and elevate mood , especially when combined with exercise and a sense of community and purpose .
“ There is scope here for enormous impact on the health of Australians because a huge proportion of the older population is either lonely , socially isolated , depressed or all of the above – and these are all risks for dementia and cardiovascular disease ,” he says .
“ We ’ re also beginning to learn more about the importance that purpose and meaning play in our health and wellbeing , and this is certainly true for older adults , who can [ lose these ] due to retirement , loss of family , and decreased independence .”
Dr Wadsworth also told Aged Care Insite that although diagnosed cases of mental illness are not very common in older Australians , 15 % of a group of 65 to 85-year-olds said they had experienced
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We take photographs of important moments in our lives , and I don ’ t think that happens often enough as people age
symptoms of a mental disorder in the past 12-months , with some groups more vulnerable than others .
“[ Poor mental health ] is even more apparent in rural and regional older Australians , where disadvantages in accessing support and services magnify the issue resulting in increased rates of suicide and self-harm ,” he says .
“ Perhaps unsurprisingly , the rates of depression among people living in residential aged care are believed to be much higher , around 35 per cent , highlighting the role that social connection and independence and autonomy have on wellbeing .” Co-leader of the
project Dr Tricia King , is a photography lecturer and researcher in creative arts health projects at UniSC , whose work focuses on improving wellbeing for older people through creative engagement . Dr King , one of the three leaders of this project , said social connection was the biggest benefit participants experienced , followed by increased movement and a developed love of photography .
“ We take photographs of important moments in our lives , and I don ’ t think that happens often enough as people age ,” Dr King says .
“ For many of them , they had become much less social over recent years , many feeling the effects of losing a partner , and so the project became a safe opportunity to connect again .”
Participants will showcase their work at the Vitality Village community space in the Sunshine Coast Health Precinct from the end of September . ■
6 agedcareinsite . com . au