Ageing Well in Wales conference
Published on 20 February 2012 10:00 AM
Experts from across Wales are gathering in Swansea today to discuss the mental health and wellbeing of older people.
The conference - ‘Maintaining balance: continuing mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing' has been organised by our Ageing Well in Wales team.
Age Cymru Healthy Ageing Manager, Claire Bottomley, says:
"It's estimated that one in six people develop clinical depression after they reach 65; this figure can rise to more than one in three for people living in care homes.
"And with our ageing population, it is imperative that we have a better understanding of the causes of depression among older people and to look at ways to tackle this problem.
"It's vital that we are able to respond to and treat poor mental and emotional wellbeing to ensure mental and emotional wellbeing across the lifespan.
"Today's conference is aimed at exploring the challenges and opportunities of meeting the mental, emotional and spiritual needs of older people in Wales today."
Age Cymru's Chief Executive Robert Taylor OBE will be launching the charity's new guide ‘Emotional health and wellbeing' at the conference.
Dementia in black minority ethnic elders, positive psychology in primary care and ‘youth clubs for over 50s' will be among the issues under the spotlight.
Guest speakers will include Suzanne Duval - Director of Operations at Diverse Cymru, Stephen Williams from Age Cymru Gwynedd a Môn, Phil Thomas from Age Cymru's Gwanwyn Arts Festival for over 50s and Dr Les Rudd, Director of the Centre for Mental Health Services Development.