Purpose: Little is known about mental health disorders (MHDs) and their associated health care expenditures for the dual eligible elders across long-term care (LTC) settings. We estimated the 12-month diagnosed prevalence of MHDs among dual eligible older adults in LTC and non-LTC settings and calculated the average incremental effect of MHDs on…

Purpose: Caregivers feeling stress and experiencing mental health problems can be at risk for engaging in abusive acts against elderly care recipients. Potentially harmful behavior (PHB) was used as a measure of caregivers' engagement in, or fear of engagement in, behavior that places dependent care recipients at risk of physical and/or…

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of suicide ideation among community-dwelling older adults and the relationship between suicide ideation, major psychiatric disorder, and mental health service use. Design and Methods: We use data from the Canadian Community Health Survey 1.2: Mental Health and Well-being (CCHS 1.2). We estimate the prevalence of…

Purpose: Previous research from the Cash and Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation (CCDE) in Arkansas, New Jersey, and Florida suggests that giving consumers control over their personal care greatly increases their satisfaction and improves their outlook on life. Still, some argue that consumer-directed care may not be appropriate for consumers…

Using epidemiologic survey data of elderly residents in six public housing developments, assesses the need for mental health care. Found that 37% of the predominantly African American sample needed mental health services. Males, older residents, those with no Medicare insurance, and those with daily living impairments were most at risk. (RJM)

Purpose: This study used epidemiological data of older African Americans and Caucasians living in an urban community to compare those factors associated with active or passive suicidal ideation in each racial group. Design and Methods: Using 1990 census data for Brooklyn, New York, we attempted to interview all cognitively intact adults aged 55 or…

Describes outreach program to deliver mental health services to mentally ill older adults in Baltimore County, Maryland. Incorporating prevention and early intervention strategies, program targets older adults with late-onset or previously undiagnosed psychiatric histories. Explains how services are provided through one-third/one-third/one-third…

Reviewed 15 community mental health studies that included older adults. Found lack of consistent evidence of more psychological impairment among females than males. Survey of older adults revealed no significant relationships between gender and five measures of impairment for respondents over age 65; and only minimal associations on two impairment…

Describes mental health services of the Senior Adult Growth and Enrichment (SAGE) Program, a North Carolina demonstration program. The SAGE staff used a differentiated model of day treatment that tracked clients according to disabilities and potentials. Services were tailored to meet unique needs brought on by diverse mental disorders, functional…

Describes off-site multi-faceted (community contact, group and individual treatment, and creative art) day treatment program for over 300 mentally impaired nursing home residents from 22 separate skilled or intermediate nursing facilities. Provides case illustrations. (Author/ABL)

Describes sub-acute diagnostic and treatment nursing home program for difficult to manage older adults with medical and psychiatric illness. Notes that assessment and discharge can be completed within seven months, and that among sample population studied, almost equal percentages were discharged to state institutions, remained in the study home,…

Compared caregiving networks of demented and lucid older adults. Found that demented individuals were cared for mostly by household members while lucid individuals received primarily extra-household assistance. Demented subjects received fewer hours of care from outside the household and from formal providers. Findings suggest that, in cases of…

Field-tested public/private collaborative model geropsychiatric nursing home. Found planning and implementation to be difficult due to interdepartmental strain within public sector and changes in ownership and administrative policy within private sector. Considers ways to reduce barriers. (Author/NB)

Reviews a report prepared by the Senate Select Committee on Aging and the American Association of Retired Persons and presents an alternative interpretation, suggesting that high rates of mental health problems in old age are accompanied by an unmet need for services. Presents problems in governmental policy as contributing to service…

Compares the United States and Canada in the funding and organization of psychiatric services for the elderly. Acute hospital, medical, and nursing home services are more accessible in Canada because of universal health insurance, but in both countries, services are limited by the small number of professionals. (JAC)