Defining the role of the fire and rescue service in mental health support for older adults: a qualitative study.

Fisher, Tamsin; Chew-Graham, Carolyn A.; Corp, Nadia; Farooq, Saeed; Kingston, Paul; Read, Ian; Spolander, Gary; Southam, Jane; Stevens, Dean; Warren, Carmel; Kingstone, Tom

Abstract

Anxiety and depression in older adults (60+ years of age) are under-diagnosed and under-treated. Older adults are less likely to seek help for these problems due to a lack of awareness, difficulty accessing health care due to availability or disability and fear of loss of independence. Existing points of contact between older adults and non-traditional services, for example, the Fire and Rescue Service (FRS), could provide opportunities to support help-seeking for mental ill-health. The FRS conduct Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSVs) with older adults and are well positioned to provide health-related support. This study examines a range of perspectives on the potential role of the FRS in the identification of, and signposting for, anxiety and depression in older adults. This was a qualitative study carried out using mixed methods in West Midlands, UK. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with older adults and health and social care providers (practitioners, managers, commissioners) to explore the acceptability of the FRS expanding its role to detect and signpost for anxiety and depression in older adults. Observations examined delivery of existing HFSVs to older adults. Data were combined and analysed using a reflexive thematic approach. Eighteen health and social care providers and 8 older adults were interviewed; 10 HFSVs were observed. Two overarching themes were identified: (1) Potential role for the FRS and (2) Operationalising identification of mental health problems by FRS. Interviews and observations demonstrated how HFSVs offer a suitable opportunity to start conversations about mental health. All interview participants felt that although the FRS would be well placed to deliver an intervention, they would require training, support and a referral pathway co-produced with and supported by health and social care partners. The study concluded that a whole-system approach is needed if the FRS are to expand HFSVs to identify mental health problems in older adults and provide signposting to appropriate services.

Citation

FISHER, T., CHEW-GRAHAM, C.A., CORP, N., FAROOQ, S., KINGSTON, P., READ, I., SPOLANDER, G., SOUTHAM, J., STEVENS, D., WARREN, C. and KINGSTONE, T. 2024. Defining the role of the fire and rescue service in mental health support for older adults: a qualitative study. Health expectations [online], 27(5), article number e70028. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70028

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 27, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Sep 19, 2024
• Publication Date: Oct 31, 2024
• Deposit Date: Sep 20, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 20, 2024
• Journal: Health expectations
• Print ISSN: 1369-6513
• Electronic ISSN: 1369-7625
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 5
• Article Number: e70028
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70028
• Keywords: Older people; Mental health; Anxiety; Depression; Mental health services; Fire and rescue services; Emergency services
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2481681