Overview

The APS hosts this activity with the APS Psychology and Ageing Interest Group (PAIG).

The impact of prolonged isolation is a common clinical challenge, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Older adults who may be facing setbacks with changes in health status, may be at an increased risk of prolonged isolation and loneliness, which to some extent, has been normalised.

Research has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions, and even death.

This webinar aims to:

•  provide participants with skills to differentiate loneliness from social isolation,

• offer a range of strategies to assist older adults to re-engage with services, as the individuality of the experience of loneliness and isolation may cause difficulty in the delivery of standardised interventions,

• provide an overview of research on loneliness and prolonged isolation in late life, particularly in light of COVID-19 pandemic, and

• practical strategies to support older adults in community and residential settings.

Level of Learning

Intermediate. This activity is targeted to those who have some previous learning on the topic.

Duration of access

Access to the recordings and presenter slides is for 12 months from the date of confirmed registration.

APS CPD-Approved

This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality.

Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process

CPD Frequently Asked Questions

Refer to the APS CPD Frequently Asked Questions for general and technical information when undertaking APS Professional development activities.

Activity details

• On-demand webinar recording

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• describe the impact of isolation and loneliness on wellbeing in late life,

• identify risk factors for loneliness, and

• describe with range of recommendations to re-engage older adults who may experience isolation and loneliness.

Presenter(s)

Dr Julie Bajic Smith MAPS

About the presenter(s)

Dr. Julie Bajic Smith is a registered psychologist who has worked in aged care for over a decade both as a clinician and a researcher. Her doctorate research examined wellbeing in home care workers and her postdoctoral research focused on supported decision-making in dementia. She has significant experience in assessment and the application of psychological treatments to elders living in the community and residential aged care facilities and recently published a book on enhancing emotional wellbeing in residential aged care environment. She has developed several preventative psychological group programs for older adults entering residential care which won Positive Living in Aged Care Awards in 2012 and 2013. Julie is currently supervising postgraduate students and mental health professionals across a number of residential aged care facilities and delivers education and training to the aged care workforce.