Mental Health Aged
Care Conference 2026
MHAC
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
DAY 1 - Wednesday 28th October, 2026
0900 - 0915
Intro & Setting the Scene
A warm welcome to our 2 days of learning, sharing & discussion ...
Wayne Woff - Senior Consultant, AHCE & Conference Chair
Session 1: 0915 - 1000 (Presentation0915-0945; Q+A 0945-1000)
Mental Health Literacy - empowering everyone
Improving mental health literacy for older adults, their families/carers and all staff strengthens individualised care, informed decision making & collaborative care planning. With this approach, greater choice/independence and better health outcomes can be achieved. Lived experiences, stigma, language, confidence ... So let's talk about where you are at now & the road map forward to excellence.
Presenter - to be confirmed
Session 2: 1000 - 1045 (Presentation 1000-1030; Q+A 1030-1045)
Mental Health - Ageing Well
Logically following on from Session No. 1 on Mental Health Literacy, this presentation will explore a mental health and wellbeing psychoeducational group program which has run in the community and aged care settings over the past few years. Lessons, learnings, challenges, client benefits & applicability to other services will be discussed. An ounce of prevention!
Stephanie Perin, Senior Clinical Psychologist; Healthy Ageing Service (HAS), St Vincent's Aged Mental Health
Grace Billing, Team Leader, Occupational Therapist; Healthy Ageing Service (HAS), St Vincent's Aged Mental Health
1045 - 1115
AM Tea - Trade Display & Networking
Session 3: 1115 - 1200 (Presentation 1115-1145; Q+A 1145-1200)
Mood & Anxiety Disorders (Part 1)
Mood & anxiety disorders are common, treatable & yet still under recognised. Let's explore (1) the current landscape - key facts, figures, trends, prevalence, impact etc (2) contemporary research (3) preventative interventions & programs (4) evidence based assessment & practice (5) client, family & staff education (6) bringing it all together (how do we operationalise for excellence?).
Presenter - to be confirmed
Session 4: 1200 - 1245 (Presentation 1200-1230; Q+A 1230-1245)
Mood & Anxiety Disorders (Part 2)
Given the scope of the topic, our exploration continues in Part 2 ...
Presenter - to be confirmed
1245 - 1345
Lunch - Trade Display & Networking
Session 5: 1345 - 1430 (Presentation 1345-1415; Q+A 1415-1430)
Mental Health & Elder Abuse - the twin challenge
How can we as professionals & our services respond to people who are experiencing mental health disorders & elder abuse concurrently. The impact on the individual can be absolutely devastating. Comprehensive systems are required to recognise, respond & support older adults and staff to meet the challenge.
Presenter - to be confirmed
Session 6: 1430 - 1515 (Presentation 1430-1500; Q+A 1500-1515)
I Stopped Trying To Sleep ...
... and sleep returned. Striving for good sleep is one of the biggest psychological battles many older Australians face. Most of the clinical support available is symptom led with interventions being started, stopped, reintroduced ... usually with little ongoing benefit. In this session, Samuel shares client success stories who have restored good sleep by desensitising their nervous system, and paradoxically, stopped worrying about sleep itself. He will also share how through his work focusing on anxiety recovery, he discovered that nervous system desensitisation is the missing link to restoring good sleep and show you how to support your clients to achieve the same success.
Samuel Eddy - Founder, Open Change; Educator; Speaker; Executive Coach
1515 - 1545
PM Tea - Trade Display & Networking
Session 7: 1545 - 1630 (Presentation 1545-1615; Q+A 1615-1630)
The Power of Touch & Connection
In a time where social isolation and chronic pain are profoundly impacting the mental health and wellbeing of older adults, both at home and in aged care, this presentation highlights a powerful yet often overlooked solution. We will explore the power of touch and connection in restoring physical comfort, emotional resilience, and overall quality of life, demonstrating how simple, intentional care can lead to meaningful improvements in everyday wellbeing.
Presenter - to be confirmed
0900 - 0915
Intro & Setting the Scene
Whether in a home, community care or residential setting the quality of clinical care provided is a key determinant of an older person's quality of life. And so to Day 2 ...
Wayne Woff - Senior Consultant, AHCE & Conference Chair
Session 8: 0915 - 1000 (Presentation0915-0945; Q+A 0945-1000)
Mental Health Matters- building staff confidence and knowledge
Monash Health is a public Health service in Victoria that also has Residential Aged Care Facilities. Educators who work in Older Adult Mental Health Services at Monash Health provide education, mentoring, coaching, resources and support to staff who work in the 3 mental health residential facilities. This session will describe how these staff development activities are delivered, evaluated & the difference they are making.
Presenter - to be confirmed
Session 9: 1000 - 1045 (Presentation 1000-1030; Q+A 1030-1045)
Grief & Mental Health
Grief in its many manifestations for older adults may be well resolved or it can become prolonged & complex. In the later case, the risk of psychosocial, mental health or physical issues is highly likely. Knowing this landscape, health professionals & services are well placed to instigate preventative &/or responsive strategies to assist individuals. Let's hear how to best achieve this!
Presenter - to be confirmed
1045 - 1115
AM Tea - Trade Display & Networking
Session 10: 1115 - 1200 (Presentation 1115-1145; Q+A 1145-1200)
Mental Health & Financial Challenges - connections & impacts
The AIHW states (2025): "Financial stress has a profound impact on mental health, while mental health challenges can increase vulnerability to financial stress". This reality emphasises the need to be aware of all aspects of a person's life which can impact on their health & to work collaboratively with other professionals / organisations.
Presenter - to be confirmed
Session 11: 1200 - 1245 (Presentation 1200-1230; Q+A 1230-1245)
Beyond the conference presentations ...
A selection of other innovations, ideas, programs & resources
From the Conference chair & delegates
1245 - 1345
Lunch - Trade Display & Networking
Session 12: 1345 - 1415 (Presentation 1345-1415; Q+A 1415-1430)
Delirium - contemporary clinical care
​
Delirium in older adults can be a "high prevalence, low detection" condition. This session will explore the key components of contemporary, evidence based clinical care for the prevention, detection & mangement of delirium.
Presenter - to be confirmed
Session 13: 1430 - 1515 (Presentation 1430-1500; Q+A 1500-1515)
Breathing techniques & mental Health
What if one of the most effective mental health supports in aged care was something every person already has, their breath? This session will explore evidence-based, trauma-informed breathing techniques as preventative mental health care. These simple, accessible practices (for clients as well as the care team) activate the parasympathetic “rest and digest” state, helping the body settle and restore. By teaching people how to regulate themselves in challenging moments, agency, resilience, and a greater sense of control is dveloped/strengthened.
Presenter - to be confirmed
1515 - 1530
Conference wrap & close
A final summation of the 2 days of learning, sharing & discussion ...
Wayne Woff - Senior Consultant, AHCE & Conference Chair
DAY 2 - Thursday 29th October, 2026
END OF PROGRAM
CONTACT US
All Enquiries to the AHCE Team - contact@agedandhealthcareeducation.com.au
OR
Wayne Woff Senior Consultant
0422 484 209 | wayne@agedandhealthcareeducation.com.au |
