When it comes to treating mental health problems, the aging population is often overlooked and these individuals do not receive the proper care that they require. Now in general, most older adults do enjoy good mental health, but according to the American Psychological Association, the number of older adults with mental/behavioral health problems will reach about 15 million, which quadruples the number from 1970 of 4 million (APA.org, 2014).
Below, I have posted a few excerpts from Mental Health America's Position Statement on Aging Well that addresses barriers in implementing policies for this population:
"Older people with mental health or substance use problems
are not yet a public policy priority. In addition, because their needs usually
overlap the mental health, substance use, general health, and aging services
systems, they often fall between the cracks. Specialized mental health and
substance use services have not secured the resources necessary to provide
appropriate care and treatment for older people. The general shift in mental
health policy towards evidence-based, individual-centered care, consumer
empowerment and recovery has not been reflected in improved services for older
people. The generalist services that are the main source of care and treatment
for older people with mental illnesses and substance use disorders rarely
identify the particular needs and interests of this group. There is a
widespread failure to integrate the aging, mental health and substance use
treatment systems. A review of the evidence base found the greatest support for
community-based, multidisciplinary, geriatric mental health treatment teams.
But little of that is happening, yet.
"The President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health,
Older Adults Subcommittee, outlined the major barriers impeding older Americans
from accessing appropriate mental health care. The committee identified
three overarching issue areas: (1) access and continuity of care, (2) quality
of care, and (3) workforce capacity and caregiver supports.
"Identified barriers included a mismatch between the
current system and the needs and preferences of older adults, stigma associated
with mental illness, drug dependency, and advanced age, and a fragmented
service system. There is inadequate research dedicated to mental health and
aging and a lack of preventative interventions and recovery-oriented services.
The asylums that used to house older people with serious mental illnesses are
replicated by the nursing homes that admit people with serious mental illness
much earlier than others, and condemn them to an institutional existence that
is incompatible with aging well".
Additionally, here are some policy recommendations for improving mental health care for older adults from the American Psychological Association:
- Enhance opportunities for professional training in the psychology of aging at the doctoral and postdoctoral levels of education to address the growing number of older adults in need of mental and behavioral health services.
- Expand basic and applied behavioral research at the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute on Aging. Increase funding for research training in geropsychology and for the widespread dissemination of evidence-based psychological treatment for mental health problems of older adults.
- Increase the early identification and treatment of older adults with mental health problems through outreach and the provision of services offered in places older adults frequent, such as primary care settings, congregate meal and senior centers, residential settings, libraries, and other community sites.
- Support legislation to increase the availability of and access to effective mental health services for older adults. Barriers to treatment include financial costs; lack of parity between
References
American Psychological Association. (2 July, 2014). Psychology and Aging. Retrieved from: http://www.apa.org/pi/aging/resources/guides/aging.pdf
Mental Health America. (2 July, 2014). Position Statement 35: Aging Well. Retrieved from: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/positions/aging-well
Gaining support and financial backing from our legislatures to ensure these individuals receive the proper care they need is imperative. Many times these elderly persons have been in care for some time due to their mental illness. Their family's inability to take care and provide for them have left them alone and sometimes, without necessities. Other times, family members and friends are worn down by taking on this burden, or may have a family of their own to tend to. Either way, these individuals should be able to rest assured that they will have effective mental health services.
ReplyDeleteKelsey- gaining support from policymakers is incredibly crucial to incite any sort of change for the aging population! When the new session comes to order for legislation, I urge you to consider supporting the Positive Aging Act, which is discussed in another blog post titled "Where did all the programs go".
DeleteThe financial distribution of funds definitely needs to be reassessed so that proper training can be offered to those working the the older adult population and so better quality care can be provided.
ReplyDeleteKatie- I agree that the funding geared towards this population needs to be reevaluated! Although as of January 1st, 2014, Medicare covers approximately 80% of the costs for mental health services, that still leaves an out-of-pocket expense for many older adults that can be difficult to maintain when requiring extended treatment.
DeleteWhile medicare cover 80% of the service for mental health those services are harder and most likely to have a lower number of members using them because health insurance compiance are making it hard for them to cover such cases. But I agree totally with you guys!
ReplyDeleteGood point, Trina. It seems to me that mental health issues are often not taken as seriously as other medical issues that a doctor can be seem for. I think this becomes especially true for aging adults since many mental health issues are generally overlooked and just seen as a part of "getting older" or being senile or what have you.
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