The network trilogy project: linking aging, mental health and health agencies

There is a striking disparity between the estimated need for mental health care by 18-25% of the nation's elderly, and the minimal utilization of private and publicly funded services by this age cohort. Recognition that the elderly are not well served by existing systems led a trilogy of major Philadelphia aging, mental health, and health organizations to form a partnership for the purpose of improving, expanding, and integrating service delivery for a segment of the population which has been overlooked. A training model was devised to overcome the organizational isolation of agencies serving mutual clients with interrelated problems. For training purposes, the city was divided into five sections. Consultants were recruited to organize staff development groups from the health, mental health and senior centers in the geographic areas to which they were assigned. This paper describes the interagency training experience, the receptivity of the participants, and discusses the issues which must be addressed to improve coordination of elderly services by the aging, health, and mental health systems.