Page 20 - Healthcare News Nov/Dec 2022

SENIOR LIVING CONT’D
we would kind of base our support. The biggest problem, I think, for older adults is that they often have complex physical health conditions.”
Indeed, older adults may experience reduced mobility, chronic pain, frailty, or other health problems, for which they require some form of long-term care. In addition, older people are more likely to experience events such as bereavement or a drop in socioeco- nomic status with retirement. All of these stressors can result in isolation, loneliness, or psychological distress in older people, making it critical to meet their needs where they live.
House Calls
Despite the availability of safe and effective treatments, late-life mood disorders remain a large problem. A reason for this may be that the public sees depression and suicide as normal aspects of aging. A sizable portion of the population views youth suicide as a greater tragedy than late-life suicide.
This way of thinking works against effective outreach to the elderly and efforts to understand and treat their conditions. The healthcare system is not meeting the needs of many elderly
individuals, and discriminatory cover- age and reimbursement policies for mental healthcare are significant barri- ers to treatment.
This age group also often grapples with stigma around mental health and seeking necessary care.
“They aren’t as open to therapy as the younger generations are. Everyone’s very into talking to a counselor, but I think that generation is less open to it,” Bronner said. “I think having the clini- cian go to the person versus someone having to go into a doctor’s office is just less threatening all around. We’re really excited about being able to provide
the in-home component to people and meet them where they’re at.”
WMEC will partner with the Belcher- town, Chicopee, Hadley, South Hadley, and Ware COAs on this project, noting that COAs are ideal community-based service providers to coordinate preven- tion efforts, identification of signs and symptoms, referral, and collaboration with treatment providers. The five Councils on Aging represent urban ar- eas with a significant Latinx population as well as rural communities.
The project will aim to identify individuals who are living at home and in need of mental-health interven-
tions. Referrals to the program can be made by anyone concerned about an older adult who lives in Belchertown, Chicopee, Granby, Hadley, Holyoke, Ludlow, South Hadley, or Ware by contacting WMEC’s Information and Referral department or by visiting www. wmeldercare.org/mental-health-out- reach-referral-form to make a referral.
they’re more receptive to accepting support. I think that starts with meeting with them in their own homes because of transportation and complex medical needs, sometimes. And also, again, if we make a connection with one of the team members and an older adult, they’re more receptive to accepting support.”
Bronner said the licen“ced clinician will not only be
able to work col-
laboratively with
the geriatric nurse
practitioner, but person versus someone having to could possibly
Trust and support is the main goal when working with seniors in this position. Trusting a stranger to come to one’s home can feel threatening, she added.
“I think once they [the social worker and nurse practitioner] get in and meet with them and they see it’s going well,
vig
As of now, WMEC is just getting the ball rolling on the Elder Mental Health Outreach Team project, but referrals are pouring in. While the organiza- tion isn’t looking to expand the effort yet, expansion is inevitable, Bronner explained.
WMEC is still looking for a licensed
Please see Outreach, page 67
I think having the clinician go to the go into a doctor’s office is just less
conduct a medica-
tion reconciliation threatening all around.” or make recom-
mendations for
further treatment, as well as working
with that senior’s case manager to get
additional in-home support if they need
and want it.
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