What happens when your behavioral health and mental health consumers start to age? The confluence of aging and mental health services is often a road sewn with conflicting waivers, a back-and-forth of what needs are most “pressing”—it can be rife with miscommunication and confusion. The needs of the aging consumer, that has also been navigating the mental and behavioral health systems, can feel overwhelming to both consumer and organizations alike. Complex older adults often end up in a congregate care setting that may or may not have a deeper understanding of the mental health needs someone with an SMI may have or may specialize in behavioral health but not understand how aging plays into this area. In this session we will examine some best practice models that are innovating in this area, and how they have managed to navigate the complexities of aging and serious mental illness. You can expect to learn:
- Specific needs and considerations for this population
- Strategies for incorporating these consumers into your area of service
- How other organizations are shifting their models of care to meet the needs of older and aging adults with serious mental illness