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Geriatric psychiatry and managed care.
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Concord, USA.
The Psychiatric Clinics of North America
|July 26, 2000
Summary
Integrating geriatric mental health and primary care services is crucial for effective elder care. A coordinated, case-managed approach, leveraging managed care organizations, can bridge the gap in available services for the frail elderly.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric mental health services
- Primary care integration
- Healthcare system analysis
Background:
- A significant disparity exists between ideal and actual geriatric mental health care in the US.
- Effective treatment necessitates a continuum of care for elderly patients.
- Current services often fail to meet the complex needs of the frail elderly population.
Observation:
- Managed care organizations (MCOs) possess the infrastructure to implement improved care models.
- Integrating geriatric psychiatry with primary care geriatric services is essential.
- Aggressive case management is a key component of a cost-effective continuum of care.
Findings:
- MCOs can facilitate the integration of specialized geriatric mental health services.
- Expert knowledge of the frail elderly's unique clinical issues must be incorporated into MCO programs.
- A coordinated approach improves the delivery of comprehensive geriatric care.
Implications:
- This integrated model has the potential to significantly enhance mental health outcomes for older adults.
- Policy and practice changes are needed to align available services with best practices in geriatric mental health.
- Addressing the gap in care can lead to more cost-effective and patient-centered healthcare for the elderly.