Complex emotional needs and older people: Setting standards for inclusion

Abstract

Community Mental Health Transformation in England provides an opportunity to change the structure and culture of mental health care delivery in community services. It is vital that the needs of older people are equitably considered and resourced through this work. One of the key strands of community transformation relates to care provision of people with complex emotional needs, an area under-researched and recognised in older adult mental health care. This paper sets out the current landscape within NHS community services in England, the challenges of meeting the needs of this clinical group and the creation of a national document which lays out recommendations for services working to meet clinical needs of older people with complex emotional needs.