Enhancing inter-network cooperation among organizations providing mental health services to older persons

The authors examine how organizations in several networks voluntarily cooperate to provide mental health services to older persons and recommend how organizational coordination and the delivery system can be improved. Information from mail surveys and in-depth interviews was analyzed. Little evidence of formal coordination across networks was found. Established organizations and agencies providing a larger number of services were more integrated. Providers recommended that organizational coordination be increased. Providers suggested that a more centralized delivery system and proactive education for clients and providers would be effective strategies to enhance service delivery.