Older adult consumers of Texas public mental health services:

Abstract

Knowledge concerning the current utilization of mental health care by the nation's geriatric population is greatly lacking. Research conducted prior to and during the 1980s consistently found that older adults utilize mental health care at disproportionately low rates. Although recent changes in public policies and perceptions portend improved access to mental health services, we cannot assume that older adults are finding their way into the therapy room and receiving treatment. The present study was conducted to examine the current utilization of various public mental health services by elderly individuals throughout the state of Texas. Additionally, the study depicts elderly mental health care consumers and identifies how they differ from their younger counterparts by comparing older (60 or over) and younger (18-59) consumers on several demographic, psychological, and psychosocial variables. The study revealed that older adults are considerably less likely than are younger individuals to initiate treatment at a community mental health center. Among the most significant and revealing outcomes of the study are the findings indicating that the disparity in utilization is not due to social, clinical, or need differences between the age cohorts.