Beverley Cassidy
Dalhousie University, Canada
Title: The fountain of health initiative for optimal aging
Biography
Biography: Beverley Cassidy
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The Fountain of Health Initiative is a Canadian project offering evidence-based information on successful aging and mental health promotion. It includes 5 key healthy aging messages, and supports and evaluates mental health interventions by care providers in community and long term care settings.
METHOD:
Educational tools including a website, an educational video, worksheets and booklets were provided to family doctors, nurse practitioners and other community mental health providers in Nova Scotia. A total of 74 clinicians received in person and telehealth education sessions about Fountain of Health materials. Pre and post questionnaires assessed knowledge transfer. In total 37 questionnaires were completed. Translation to practice to educate seniors in community and long term care settings was followed over 2 months. A further intervention to assess the impact in of music therapy in nursing home settings is also in progress, with pre and post measures of mental health and behaviour to be evaluated in 2016.
RESULTS:
It was found that clinicians' knowledge regarding mental health promotion improved following delivery of FoH education. Unpaired t-tests found significant differences between pre- and post-questionnaire mean scores (p<0.0001) indicating highly effective knowledge transfer. Effect size using a Cohen's d found a correlation of 0.8. Follow up over 2 months indicated good uptake and positive response from patients and clinicians alike.
Results from the intervention with music in long term care will be available for discussion at the conference.