Identifying Potential Mental Health Indicators for Long-Term Care: Results from a Participatory Mapping Study

Background: Mental health conditions are common but often not recognised or treated appropriately in residential aged care (RAC). Quality indicators (QIs) for mental health may help drive improvements in processes and resident outcomes, however there are currently no mental health-specific indicators used in Australian RAC. This study aimed to inform content development of mental health QIs using adapted concept mapping with three key stakeholder groups. Methods: Twenty-six participants (eight family carers, twelve residents and six RAC staff), engaged in adapted concept mapping which included: i) brainstorming interviews or group discussions, and ii) individual sorting and/or rating activities (depending on capability). Results: Brainstorming generated 50 unique statements from family and staff participants, and 15 from residents. Eight cluster-tiles were identified from Staff-Family sorting: 1) Medical and Allied Health Support, 2) Assessment-Management, 3) Staff Skills and Training, 4) Staff Values, 5) Facility Staffing, 6) Care and Communication, 7) Access to Appropriate Activities, and 8) Additional Support for Residents. ‘Facility Staffing’ was rated as least changeable, whereas ‘Staff Values’, and ‘Care and Communication’ were rated most changeable. Statements relating to ‘Access to Meaningful Activities’, ‘Staff Attitudes’ and ‘Voices being Heard’, were rated highly by residents. Limitations: This might lack generalisability gender-wise. Clusters generated by the staff and family groups could not be directly compared with the resident groups. Implications: Key factors in promoting and managing resident mental health were determined. Findings are being used to inform the development of mental health QIs for RAC.