Mental health consultation, assessment, psychiatric treatment and support to adults 65 years and older.
The older adult community mental health program provides mental health consultation, assessment, psychiatric treatment and support to people 65 years and older who are experiencing late life onset of mental health symptoms. Some symptoms may include memory decline, confusion, depressed mood, anxiety, psychosis or other mental health symptoms that affect the person’s ability to cope with daily living activities.
Our outreach teams are comprised of psychiatric nurses, social workers, health care workers and older adult psychiatrists. We see people in their own homes or assisted living facilities. We also provide consultation to health care teams in long term care facilities.
Our services include but are not limited to:
- Comprehensive mental health assessment, diagnosis
- Treatment that may include prescription medication
- Mental health condition, coping strategies
- Supportive counselling
- Family/caregiver support
- Response to a report of adult abuse and/or neglect
- Linking individuals and their families to community services/resources, such as home and community care supports
- Our team works closely with the person, their family, and the individual’s primary care team (family doctor or nurse practitioner) to ensure the individual’s care continues during and after he/she transitions out of our mental health services.
We can also provide outreach services to people, and consultation and support to both the person and their family. Our team works closely with the person, their family, and the individual’s primary care team (family doctor or nurse practitioner) to ensure the individual’s care continues during and after he/she transitions out of our mental health services.
Access
Eligibility
People over the age of 65 who are experiencing psychiatric symptoms such as memory decline, confusion, depression, anxiety, psychosis (e.g. hallucinations, delusions, paranoia) or other mental health symptoms that affect the person’s ability to manage their daily living activities.
Referral
Call your local mental health and substance use team and speak to an intake staff member who will direct your request to the right person. Our services are voluntary. We accept self-referrals and referrals from family doctors, family members, neighbours or anyone else supporting the person in the community.
If you have concerns about a person or loved one and you have referred them to our services, we will do our best to inform, encourage and engage the individual in our services; however, we are not able to force the person or your loved one to accept our services if he/she is not ready or willing to do so.
If you feel the person or your loved one is at risk of abuse or neglect or being abused or neglected because of a mental health concern, notify your mental health and substance use centre immediately and they will look into the person’s situation.
Language(s) Offered
If you do not speak or understand English well enough to have medical conversations, we can get a medical interpreter in your language. The medical interpreter will help you communicate with your doctor and health care team. We can get the interpreter by phone or in person. Please be patient. It might take time. You do not pay for this.
For informal conversations, your family and friends can help you explain what you need to your health care team.
Resources
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health: Information for older adults
What older adults, their families and friends need to know about anxiety, dementia and depression. - Here to Help: Seniors and depression: Information you need to know
Understand the signs and symptoms in seniors and how to get help. - Mood Disorders Association of B.C.: Resources for seniors
Mental health fact sheets for seniors. - Home support services
For people with certain health issues, age-related limitations or other disabilities, managing everyday tasks can be challenging. Home support services can help you continue to live at home safely and independently.