“A Cup of Tea and a Chat”: A Qualitative Study on the Mental Healthcare Preferences of Australian In-Home Aged Care Recipients and Their Experiences of Accessing Mental Health Services

Abstract

Older adults receiving aged care services within their own homes have high prevalence rates of depression and anxiety. Psychological treatments are effective for this population, but mental health services are underutilised. Little is known about the mental healthcare preferences of in-home aged care recipients and the specific types of barriers and facilitators they experience when seeking mental health support. To understand these lived experiences and perspectives, an exploratory qualitative study was conducted with individuals experiencing symptoms of depression and/or anxiety who were receiving in-home aged care services from an Australian national aged care provider. Twenty-nine older adults participated in a semistructured telephone interview. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Four themes were generated, which indicate that in-home aged care recipients: (1) differ in their mental health self-appraisals and approaches to wellbeing; (2) value varied supports in utilising mental healthcare; (3) want personalised and flexible care; and (4) face barriers and facilitators in accessing mental health services which are influenced by attitudes, awareness, availability and accessibility. The study emphasised the role of primary care physicians in enabling mental health services. It also highlighted that participants were receptive to receiving mental health services from an in-home aged care provider. Understanding care preferences and the barriers and facilitators for seeking mental health support will enable aged care and mental healthcare providers to improve engagement with recipients of in-home aged care in the use of mental health services and enhance the psychological wellbeing of older Australians.