Specialized Mental Health Service Needs of Older Adults:
Mental illnesses in older persons are highly treatable. Over 80 percent are likely to respond to treatment, which usually consists of a combination of medication and psychotherapy. But only 16 percent seek help from appropriate professionals. Most rely on primary care physicians, or deny problems until they reach a crisis point that may result in suicide or institutionalization. The usual barriers are stigma and misinformation, as well as access barriers including lack of trust; inadequacies of the traditional clinic or office-based mental health services that are geared toward younger age groups; and lack of dually trained/experienced mental health professional with competencies in mental health and geriatrics.
Volunteers of America Senior Mental Health Services are based on operating principles to address these barriers, as follows:
- A mental health professional responds to all requests for service, including phone calls, to provide information and consultation, screen for mental health related conditions to determine what may be needed, and to facilitate linkage with needed services.
- We believe in taking services to the seniors, where they live or normally congregate. Individuals can be seen in their homes or in community sites, such as senior centers that can provide private space to ensure confidentiality.
- Our staff is composed of appropriately licensed and credentialed mental health professionals who are experienced and comfortable with aging issues.
- Family members and service providers who have a trusting relationship with the individual are requested to be present at the first face-to-face contact with the individual to help facilitate introductions and to remain in active contact with the therapist thereafter to coordinate efforts.
- Senior Mental Health Services is a “bridge” program. The clinical practice is based at Volunteers of America of Minnesota Mental Health Clinic, which is licensed as an outpatient mental health clinic by the State of Minnesota. The services are integrated with the Senior Services programs of Volunteers of America of Minnesota, which are organized within the “Circle Of Caring” concept. We also work closely with families, physicians, case managers and other community service providers.
- Our assessment and treatment process takes into consideration all aspects of the individual’s life including physical health problems and daily functioning level that are known to interact critically with the person’s mental health.
Comprehensive Diagnostic Assessment:
This is an in-depth examination that precedes all clinical services such as psychotherapy or day treatment. The session is conducted by a licensed mental health professional who will review:
· Participant’s life story and family background
· Physical, psychological and chemical health history and present status
· Level of independent living and functioning
· Stresses, losses and sources of support
· Strengths and vulnerabilities including risks to self or others.
Additionally, this session includes a complete mental status examination that may entail preliminary testing or screening to measure:
· Cognitive level
· Presence of clinical depression, anxiety, etc.
· Current status and past use of medications and treatment
· Other related areas, as appropriate.
The person’s own perception of problems, needs and desired outcomes, as well as observations of family members and other service providers are discussed. This session typically takes 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Participant’s rights including rights to self-determination and consent to treatment, state and federal statutes covering data privacy and confidentiality issues, as well as grievance mechanisms are discussed verbally with the participant and written material is provided at the beginning of the session. At the end of the session, the staff will summarize the findings and present recommendations for treatment alternatives for participant’s consideration. An initial treatment plan may be developed with timelines if the participant accepts the recommendations.
Psychotherapy (Individual or Family):
This face-to-face “talk therapy” is guided by a treatment plan that is developed in collaboration with the participant and is designed to meet the specific goals and desired outcomes for that individual. The focus of individual psychotherapy is on the participant, working mostly one on one. Family therapy mode is utilized to broaden the focus, involving significant family members and their issues as those interact with and influence the participant’s mental health. Family therapy sessions can be conducted with or without the participant being present. Therapy is based on Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) and Solution Focused methodologies that are known to be effective with older persons. Therapeutic focus is on symptom management and relapse prevention through insight and coping skills development, and include related community living issues such as isolation, unresolved grief, interpersonal relationships, and problem solving.
In addition to many locations where sessions are provided, Volunteers of America of Minnesota's Southwest Center is a place where patients are often seen and where health promotion presentations are made often. Learn more about Southwest Center >
Senior Day Treatment:
Senior Day Treatment is a structured and intensive outpatient treatment program serving the specialized needs of older adults. The program is located in Park ElderCenter at 1505 Park Avenue South, Minneapolis. Services are primarily in group-based psychotherapy and skill development mode, and include up to 8 to 10 participants with an average attendance of 5 to 6 at each session. Groups meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday with three, 45-minute group sessions each day. The first of the two morning sessions start at 10:00 a.m., with lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The third session begins at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 1:15 p.m. Therapy is guided by an individualized treatment plan. The focus is on insight development, symptom stabilization and self-management, learning effective coping skills, relapse prevention, and optimal community and independent living skills development. Some issues common to older adults are also addressed including isolation, impact of physical illness and disability, unresolved loss/grief and problem-solving.
Park ElderCenter is a satellite location for the Volunteers of America Mental Health Clinic and its Senior Day Treatment program. Participants in the Senior Day Treatment program also have lunch with Senior Dining on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Learn more about Park ElderCenter >
Psychiatric Evaluation and Medication Management:
A board certified psychiatrist who has additional certified competencies in geriatric psychiatry, psychopharmacology, and addiction psychiatry provides our psychiatric services. This service is available to program participants only, and is offered on the third Tuesday of the month.
Psychological Testing:
This service is provided only to participants of Senior Mental Health Services by doctoral level psychologists from the Volunteers of America Minnesota Mental Health Clinics based on specific requests by therapists. The Clinic does not have the capacity to administer neuropsychological assessment and testing, but can facilitate referrals to other community resources.
Educational Training and Workshops on Geriatric Mental Health Issues:
Presentations, specialized training and workshops are offered to community groups, mental health and aging service providers on mental health issues of older adults to reduce stigma, remove barriers, and increase the availability of service providers with dual competency in geriatrics and mental health. The program is a clinical training site for graduate students from the schools of social work at University of Minnesota and College of St. Catherine/University of St. Thomas.
Our Mental Health Promotion Project provides presentations to groups of seniors in the community on mental health related topics that touch on the participants' everyday living. This effort is partially funded by the federal Title III-D grant from the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging (MAAA).
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