Older Persons Mental Health Service (OPMHS)

Townsville Older Persons Mental Health Service (OPMHS) is a community-based service providing assessment and treatment for older adults in the community. The service aims to support general practitioners (GPs) and other health and aged-care providers by assessing and recommending treatment for older adults with mental health problems.

OPMHS supports the care of people who have a mental disorder such as depression, psychosis and/or dementia-related behaviour problems. Generally, patients are over 65 years of age and over 55 years for Indigenous Australians; however, younger people who are affected by age-related neurodegenerative problems such as Alzheimer’s disease may be included.

What services does OPMHS provide?

• Clinical assessment and management recommendations
• Planned therapeutic interventions
• Flexible service delivery to meet the needs of consumers and carers
• Liaison with services on mental health issues and management
• Behavioural management strategies
• Education
• Assistance to individuals requiring our service to maintain independence for as long as possible in their homes

Dementia and Memory Disorders Specialist Clinic

The memory clinic is a specialised service for people with memory loss and dementia. Diagnosis and intervention is provided for people concerned about changes in their memory or the memory of someone they care about (no age criteria).

What does the Dementia and Memory Clinic do?

• Accurately identifies and assesses people who present with signs and symptoms of possible dementia
• Provides comprehensive assessment and diagnosis of dementia
• Provides information on treatment, education and support
• Provides an integrated approach to care coordination and implementation across all agencies involved in the treatment and care of people with dementia and support of their carers
• Assists with future planning for patients and families
• Links and refers patients and family to other services
• Provides formal feedback to the referring GP on the outcome of assessment and treatment options

Who can be seen by us?

We see older adults who have:

• A mental illness which has arisen for the first time
• Older People who have difficult behaviours related to a dementia process
• We can only see people who have agreed to be seen by us, unless authorised to do so by the Mental Health or Guardianship and Administration Acts.
• Older people with pre-existing mental illness who are otherwise fit and well should continue to access adult mental health services.

Referral

As older adults often have complex medical problems, it is OPMHS practice to work with the treating GP who has the longitudinal knowledge of the patient and is best able to co-ordinate care. Therefore, referrals need to be discussed with the treating GP who can then refer directly to OPMHS.

Contact Details

Location
Kirwan Health Campus
Street Facility
138 Thuringowa Dr,
Kirwan, QLD, 4815

Ph: (07) 4433 9568
Fax: +61 7 4433 9485

Email: Send Email

24/7 Crisis assistance and support
Mental Health Intake and Referral:
Ph: 1300MH CALL (1300 64 2255)

24/7 Alcohol and Drug Information Service:
Ph: 1800 177 833

In a life-threatening emergency:
Telephone triple zero (000) or 112 from mobiles

Related Links

Queensland Health -Mental Health home page
Mental Health Act 2016
Caring for somebody with a mental illness
Find a mental health service