Policy Research on Aging and Mental Health Services.

摘要

Problems of the elderly and the delivery of mental health services to this group are discussed. The problem has two major components: the elderly are believed by many experts to have a higher prevalence of mental and emotional illnessess than any other age group, and the elderly are reportedly not receiving sufficient and appropriate mental health services and treatments. Large proportions of the elderly lack adequate personal resources to pay for these services on the open market. Further, this group has not been a visible, active, or successful political entity. Existing programs and agencies have poor organization and lack effective coordination. Community mental health centers are not very involved in providing services to the elderly or in supporting geriatric mental health programs. Service to the elderly appears to be a factor of the proportion of the elderly in the agency catchment or service area and by their dependence or reliance on federal funding.