Supporting the Behavioral Health of Older Adults: Evaluating a Multi-Site, Multi-Actor, Multi-Agency Initiative

Allyson Stodola, Jason Z. Kyler-Yano, Serena Hasworth, Jaclyn Winfree, Walter D. Dawson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Policymakers often overlook people living with physical disabilities and older adults’ behavioral health (BH) needs. Older adults experience alarmingly high rates of mental illness and substance use disorders, which often intersect with neurocognitive challenges. Emerging evidence suggests the SARS-COV-2 pandemic has exacerbated these disparities. BH needs amongst older adults and people living with physical disabilities have major implications for policy and service delivery. While a multitude of local interventions to support BH exist, few state-level programs focus on this population. In 2015, Oregon established the Behavioral Health Initiative for Older Adults and People with Physical Disabilities (referred to as the Initiative) with this specific purpose. A multi-year evaluation of this Initiative suggests several important improvements have occurred. Yet, barriers remain that hinder optimal service provision and enable siloed aging and BH services between agencies. The findings indicate ways the Initiative can leverage initial successes to further support this population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1011-1019
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Applied Gerontology
Volume41
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2022

Keywords

  • aging
  • behavioral health
  • medicaid
  • medicare
  • serious mental illness
  • state policy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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