Behavioral Health Problems Among Clients in Aging Services Nancy Lynn, MSPH, Lawrence Schonfeld, PhD, Hannah Hackworth, LCSW, & Roy Etheridge, MA Total Sample (n=329) S-GDS Scores 0-4: None or mild depression 5-9: Moderate depression 10-15: Highly indicative of depression 178 (54.1%) 101 (30.7%) 32 (9.7%) Recent thoughts of suicide (within past year)18 (5.5%) Drank alcohol in the past 5 years88 (26.7%) Of those who drank alcohol < 5 yrs.: - Drank alcohol at least twice a week - Had 3+ alcoholic drinks in a typical day 20 (22.7%) 14 (15.9%) SMAST-G Scores 0-1: No need for further assessment 2-10: At risk for alcohol problems 64 (19.5%) 24 (7.3%) Background Older adults represent a large and growing segment of the nation’s population. While most community- based elders function well, there is increasing concern over those who experience untreated depression and alcohol abuse. Despite these concerns, few elders utilize behavioral health services. Areas Measured Demographics Current use of aging services Risk of depression (S-GDS) Risk of suicide Current drinking pattern Problematic alcohol use (S-MAST-G) Results Past Behavioral Health Problems. Nearly one-third (29.8%) of participants indicated receiving past treatment for depression. Over 3% of the sample reported having treatment for alcohol problems. Current Behavioral Health Problems. Forty percent of participants were at risk for depression. Of those screening positive on the S-GDS: 75.9% scored in the moderate range 24.1% scored in the severe range Nearly 6% had considered suicide within the past year. Of those: two-thirds (66.7%) had a clear suicide plan 27.8% kept a firearm in the house One-quarter of the sample reported drinking alcohol within the past 5 years. Of those: 22.7% had an alcoholic drink more than twice a week 17.0% drank 4 or more times a week 15.9% had 3 or more drinks in a typical day of drinking S-MAST-G scores indicate 7.3% of the total sample were at risk for problem drinking. Table 2. Results Present Study The present study examined data collected by a Florida aging services agency (Urban Jacksonville, Inc.) in an effort to identify the behavioral health service needs of 329 community-dwelling service users. Conclusion Although many older adults experience behavioral health problems, this growing segment continues to be underidentified and underserved. Clients receiving aging services through Urban Jacksonville, Inc., exhibited substantial risks for depression, suicide, and alcohol use problems. Aging service clients are often homebound and may not have regular access to primary care or other service providers. Aging service staff are in an ideal situation in which to discover clients with behavioral health needs who may have otherwise remained unidentified. Total Sample (n=329) Mean Age (SD) - Range 77.5 (9.1) 59 to 99 years Race/Ethnicity (5 missing) - White - Black - Other 200 (60.8%) 114 (34.7%) 10 (3.0%) Educational Attainment (2 missing) - HS grad or below - Some college - College grad or higher 237 (72.0%) 53 (16.1%) 37 (11.2%) Number of services received from aging services (73 missing) - Mean Number (SD) - 1 service - 2 services - 3 or more services 1.4 (0.6) 171 (52.0%) 68 (20.7) 17 (5.2%) Table 1. Sample Abstract In an effort to identify new pathways for the identification of older adults with risk of depression, suicide, and alcohol misuse, screening data collected by an aging services agency on 329 clients receiving services were examined. The sample was mostly female, White, and averaged 77.5 years of age. One-third of the sample received treatment in the past for depression or alcohol misuse. Currently, 40% of the sample was at risk for depression, 6% had recently considered suicide, and nearly 10% were at risk for alcohol misuse. Aging services may be a successful way of identifying older adults with behavioral health service needs. Address questions and comments to: Nancy Lynn, MSPH University of South Florida Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MHC 2336, Tampa, FL