Silverchain client Doug Scott has faced more than his fair share of health challenges. Living with multiple chronic health conditions, the Rockingham local is no stranger to physical pain, hospital visits and the daily routines of managing his health. But it was something less visible that weighed on him the most.
“I’m used to the physical stuff,” Doug said. “But the mental side of things, that’s always in your head. You’ve got to get it out.”
That all changed when he was invited to take part in Silverchain’s EMBED (Enhanced Management of home-Based Elders with Depression) clinical trial.
EMBED is a psychological treatment for depression designed for older Australians receiving home care, which is being tested at Silverchain. Following a successful pilot in Victoria in 2024, it has expanded to Western Australian and South Australia.
A call that changed everything
Doug first heard about EMBED when he received a call from a Silverchain researcher. At first, he wasn’t sure what to expect.
“They explained it was a wellbeing program,” Doug said. “They wanted to ask questions about how I was coping, my feelings, and how I was managing life.”
As part of the trial, Doug was allocated to the ‘usual-care group’, meaning he continued receiving the standard support. But the initial conversation quickly became something more.
Silverchain Care Partner, Courtney Newman, said these early conversations are often the most powerful.
“We start by simply asking how someone is and what’s changed in their life,” she said. “It creates a relaxed environment where clients feel safe to open up.”
Like many of our employees providing aged care services, Courtney took part in the Foundations in Mental Health Training program developed to support our employees in having these conversations about mood and emotional wellbeing.
Support that fits into everyday life
EMBED is the first mental health treatment that was developed for people receiving in home aged care. Thanks to a $2 million grant from the Medical Research Future Fund, and support from Silverchain Foundation, the study will examine whether EMBED improves emotional wellbeing, reduces symptoms of depression, and addresses stigma, by enabling older Australians to access evidence based personalised treatment at home.
For Doug, being part of the study prompted important conversations about his wellbeing.
“It wasn’t something new or complicated. It worked alongside the care I already had. And I could do it from home,” Doug said. “That made it easier to be honest.”
“That’s what makes it different,” Courtney explained. “It’s a free service delivered in the client’s own home, alongside the care they already trust.”
“We’re seeing clients leave the program with improvements in their mood, sleep, diet and stress levels, but also in their connection to their community and social goals,” Courtney said.
Breaking the stigma
Doug believes the biggest barrier for many people is the belief that talking about mental health shows weakness.
“I know my brother’s the same, and a lot of my mates,” Doug said. “They’re going through the same thing but don’t let it out.”
Now, he is passionate about encouraging others to take that first step.
“Just talking to someone makes a difference, I feel lighter. I feel relief,” Doug said.
Courtney agreed that early intervention is key.
“The earlier we can connect with clients, the more we can support their independence and wellbeing at home,” Courtney said.
Staying independent at home
Through EMBED, clients can work on areas such as diet, sleep, physical activity and social connection, while some choose to learn mindfulness and relaxation strategies. The focus is always on the individual and what matters most to them. This often results in older people building confidence and regaining control.
For Doug, opening up has strengthened both his wellbeing and his ability to remain independent.
“That’s what matters most. Staying in my own home, living my life. But honestly, the biggest reward is just feeling better in yourself,” Doug said.
For more information about how you or a loved one can take part in the EMBED clinical trial, contact the EMBED research team.
