Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Older Adults in Primary Care: How Do We Get the Job Done?

2006 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles F. Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Mental Health Needs

scholarly journals Unmet mental health needs in the general population: perspectives of Belgian health and social care professionals

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Rens ◽  
Geert Dom ◽  
Roy Remmen ◽  
Joris Michielsen ◽  
Kris Van den Broeck
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Health Care ◽  
General Population ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Unmet Needs ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Epidemiological Research ◽  
Unmet Mental Health

Abstract Background An unmet mental health need exists when someone has a mental health problem but doesn’t receive formal care, or when the care received is insufficient or inadequate. Epidemiological research has identified both structural and attitudinal barriers to care which lead to unmet mental health needs, but reviewed literature has shown gaps in qualitative research on unmet mental health needs. This study aimed to explore unmet mental health needs in the general population from the perspective of professionals working with vulnerable groups. Methods Four focus group discussions and two interviews with 34 participants were conducted from October 2019 to January 2020. Participants’ professional backgrounds encompassed social work, mental health care and primary care in one rural and one urban primary care zone in Antwerp, Belgium. A topic guide was used to prompt discussions about which groups have high unmet mental health needs and why. Transcripts were coded using thematic analysis. Results Five themes emerged, which are subdivided in several subthemes: (1) socio-demographic determinants and disorder characteristics associated with unmet mental health needs; (2) demand-side barriers; (3) supply-side barriers; (4) consequences of unmet mental health needs; and (5) suggested improvements for meeting unmet mental health needs. Conclusions Findings of epidemiological research were largely corroborated. Some additional groups with high unmet needs were identified. Professionals argued that they are often confronted with cases which are too complex for regular psychiatric care and highlighted the problem of care avoidance. Important system-level factors include waiting times of subsidized services and cost of non-subsidized services. Feelings of burden and powerlessness are common among professionals who are often confronted with unmet needs. Professionals discussed future directions for an equitable mental health care provision, which should be accessible and targeted at those in the greatest need. Further research is needed to include the patients’ perspective of unmet mental health needs.

SWiFT: A Rapid Triage Tool for Vulnerable Older Adults in Disaster Situations

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (S1) ◽  
pp. S45-S50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmel B. Dyer ◽  
Mor Regev ◽  
Jason Burnett ◽  
Nicolo Festa ◽  
Beth Cloyd
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Rapid Determination ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Mental Health Needs

ABSTRACTBackground: In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage to parts of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama, causing many people, including vulnerable older adults, to evacuate to safe surroundings. Approximately 23,000 evacuees—many of them 65 years old or older, frail, and lacking family to advocate for their care—arrived at the Reliant Astrodome Complex in Houston, Texas. There was no method for assessing the immediate and long-term needs of this vulnerable population.Methods: A 13-item rapid needs assessment tool was piloted on 228 evacuees 65 years old and older by the Seniors Without Families Team (SWiFT), to test the feasibility of triaging vulnerable older adults with medical and mental health needs, financial needs, and/or social needs.Results: The average age of the individuals triaged was 66.1 ± 12.72 (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) years. Of these, 68% were triaged for medical and or mental health needs, 18% were triaged for financial assistance, and 4% were triaged for social assistance. More than half of the SWiFT-triaged older adults reported having hypertension.Conclusions: The SWiFT tool is a feasible approach for triaging vulnerable older adults and provides a rapid determination of the level of need or assistance necessary for vulnerable older people during disasters. The tool was only piloted, thus further testing to determine reliability and validity is necessary. Potentially important implications for using such a tool and suggestions for preparing for and responding to disaster situations in which vulnerable older adults are involved are provided. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2008;2(Suppl 1):S45–S50)

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