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Formal and informal support for older adults with severe mental illness
- Authors:
- CUMMINGS Sherry M., KROPF Nancy P.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 13(4), July 2009, pp.619-627.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study sought to examine the combination of formal and informal services supplied to older adults with severe mental illness, to assess the adequacy of services received, and to determine factors predictive of formal and informal service provision. A cross-sectional research design was employed. Seventy-five older adults diagnosed with a SMI were recruited through local community mental health centre. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews using the Camberwell Assessment of Needs for the Elderly. Clients most frequently received services from formal sources for psychiatric distress, physical health, information, and dangerous behaviour needs while informal sources provided the greatest amount of assistance for self-care, psychiatric distress, and money management needs. Appropriate assistance was most often not provided for benefits, sight/hearing, and incontinence. Formal services were predicted by group residence and dangerous behaviour, physical illness, medication, and daily activity needs. Assistance from informal sources was predicted by private residence, self-care, mobility, and money management needs. While formal and informal sources provided adequate services for certain client needs, over 70% of the clients did not receive the correct type of help for some of their needs. Greater communication between mental health care staff and informal caregivers, and the integration of aging network services, is essential for the adequate provision of care to older severely mentally ill (SMI) adults. Education and greater linkages among care providers are necessary so that all service providers are aware of and are able to appropriately respond to the complex multi-level needs experienced by older SMI adults.
Aging with a severe mental illness: challenges and treatments
- Authors:
- CUMMINGS Sherry M., KROPF Nancy P.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 54(2), February 2011, pp.175-188.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Severe mental illness (SMI) impacts on many different aspects of individuals' lives. As they age, older adults with SMI must contend not only with the symptoms and consequences of their psychiatric disorder but also with the increased physical illnesses, functional impairment, cognitive deficits, and social disability often encountered in later life. Estimates suggest that the move away from institutionalisation is such that 85% of older people with SMI now live in the community. The authors discuss effective social work practice with this population and highlight the major biopsychosocial and family issues of aging with a psychiatric diagnosis, such as barriers to receiving services and family care giving issues. Effective intervention approaches are summarised along with ways to coordinate services across multiple service providers. The article concludes by looking at future directions in practice and research aimed at providing better support for older adults with SMI and their families.