THE SENIOR OUTREACH PROGRAM OF PARK-RIDGE MENTAL-HEALTH - AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO MENTAL-HEALTH AND AGING

Availability and accessibility of mental health services for the elder ly is woefully inadequate, failing to recognize the diversity of needs in the older adult population. Stigma, confusing and exclusionary ins urance regulations and restrictive mental health center policies have both limited and discouraged treatment interventions. Through innovati ve case finding, programming and funding arrangements, the Senior Outr each program of Park Ridge Mental Health in Rochester, New York, has p roven effective in identifying and providing outreach mental health se rvices to elderly individuals. The program utilizes a human services a gency model, yet operates within a large heath care system as part of a continuum of psycho-geriatric services.