‘Can Do’ for Older People aims to improve the capacity of general practice and the Divisions of General Practice to recognise and effectively respond to the needs of older people at risk of or experiencing mental health and substance use issues in their local community. It does this by strengthening, supporting and networking GPs and other key stakeholders who deliver health and community support services to older people at risk of or experiencing mental health and substance use issues.

Key learning objectives
The overall educational goal of this accredited training program is to provide general practitioners, allied health professionals and other service providers with specific knowledge and skills to work with older people at risk of or experiencing mental health and substance use issues to improve their health and wellbeing.  On completion of this program, participants should be able to:

• describe the physical, psychological, social, spiritual and cultural needs of older people
• demonstrate an increase understanding of the experience of ageing and significance of change in the life of the older person
• demonstrate an increased awareness of mental health, medication and substance use issues and how they impact on older people
• identify risks and protective factors associated with substance use, taking medications, mental health issues and aging
• demonstrate an increase the capacity of general practitioners, allied health professionals and other service providers to work with older people at risk of or experiencing mental health and substance use issues
• demonstrate increased confidence in providing support and understanding required by older people with mental health and substance use issues
• identify health and community services at the local level, particularly those that engage with and provide support to older people
• demonstrate an increase in ability and confidence in developing appropriate pathways of referral and care for older people with mental health and substance use issues and their families and carers.