| Description |
An important need in this country has been identified as the lack of mental health services designed specifically for the aged. Although psychiatric nursing is concerned with the mental health needs of all age groups, the aging population Is of particular importance because of the multiple physiological and psychological problems that often exist among aging persons. The aged are a high risk group with high rates of physical impairment, affective disorders, organic brain syndrome, and suicide. To explore the usage of community mental health centers by the aging in the area of Salt Lake County, a study of clients over the age of 55 at a community health center was done. The study described: (l) the mental health problems of the aging population who seek treatment, and (2) the type of services currently being provided to aid In solving these problems. Such information can be important in facilitating assessment of present services and in planning for future services. The baseline data can be used in future research for comparison and analysis. The population from which the sample was selected consisted of l68 clients over the age of 55, who had had more than one contact with the Granite Comprehensive Mental Health Center's Outpatient, Crisis, or Adult Day Care Units within the 2 years from 1971 through 1973. A Personal Information Form (PIP) was used to record information found in the charts regarding the population available for study. The PIP was developed by the investigator to provide a means of gathering both biographical and mental health information. A sample of 52 potential subjects was randomly selected from the population. Subjects who were interviewed met the additional criteria of: (1) willingness to participate in an interview; (2) evidence of being oriented to time, place, and person; and (3) ability to communicate by speaking or writing. Twenty-nine subjects were interviewed by the investigator during a visit to the subjects' homes or places of residence. The questions outlined on the Structured Interview (SI) were asked during the interview, The SI, also developed by the investigator, inquired about the subjects' present living arrangements, children, support systems, activities, medical history, psychiatric history, recent losses and gains, treatment received at the Center, and satisfaction with the treatment received. The aging community mental health center clients represented a wide variety of individuals having a variety of health problems. The 17 subjects residing in nursing homes stated that they were not having any particular problem at the time the Center contacted them. Of the subjects living in private homes, the reported problems included: marital problems; problems with children, girlfriend, and health; depression; and death of a husband, Feelings of loneliness and of not having enough to do were also mentioned. Many different diagnoses were given to the subjects. Referrals to the Center came from a variety of sources, but most referrals came from nursing homes, the clients themselves, or the clients' families and friends. About one-half of the subjects had had some type of mental health treatment prior to their contact with the Center. The subjects generally seemed to have few readily available outside support systems. Twenty-one of the subjects stated that they did not have many close friends, Ten subjects stated that they would not consider their children as sources of assistance in solving a personal problem. When asked how they had handled problems in the past, the subjects' most frequent response was that they had handled the problem by themselves. Human service workers were the primary therapists for 18 of the subjects. Seven of the subjects were treated by social workers, 2 were treated by psychologists, and 1 subject treated by a psychiatrist. Information was unavailable in the charts regarding the primary therapist of 1 subject. The prevailing mode of therapy for the sample was group therapy. Twenty-two of the subjects were actively engaged in treatment at the time of the study. The subjects seemed to be generally satisfied with the services they received at the Center; however, some of the nursing home residents stated that they did not realize that they were receiving services from a community mental health center. Seven subjects offered suggestions as to how their experiences could have been improved. Some of these subjects desired an increase in either variety or number of sessions. Several subjects wished that the Center could help them leave the nursing homes in which they were living. Two subjects mentioned the difficulties they had encountered in attempting to set up an appointment. |
