Specialized Services for Older Adults with Mental Illness: Outcome of a Community-based Team Intervention

Abstract

AbstractIn Québec, the Centre de santé et de services sociaux (CSSS) Cavendish (Cavendish Health and Social Services Centre) offers innovative and specialized services to people aged 60 years and over who are living with mental health problems (specialized mental health services—SMHS 60+). These services take into account the particularities linked to age, mental health problems and the unique living conditions of users. Services provided follow guidelines identified as best practices with this clientele (Nour et al., 2010; 2011) and integrate a holistic and empowering intervention based on the recovery model (NASW, 2006). They are offered by multidisciplinary teams at the clinic and in the homes of clients. In addition, they include evaluation services, interventions in crisis situations, psy- chosocial support, medical care and evaluation of risk behaviours. This article presents the results of a single case longitudinal study which aims to evaluate the possible short-term outcome of SMHS 60+. According to the results of the study, the services seems to diminish anxiety symptoms among the population served. Moreover, the stronger the user-practitioner therapeutic alliance and the feelings of empowerment, the more pronounced the reduction in symptoms of anxiety. In addition, the therapeutic alliance positively influences the stabilization of depressive symptoms and risk behaviors. The therapeutic alliance and empowerment must therefore be prioritized in specialized mental health services in order for them to have significant outcome on the health of users.