EXAMINING AND ADDRESSING BARRIERS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR OLDER ADULTS IN PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
2024

Barriers to Mental Health Care for Older Adults in Supportive Housing

Sample size: 8 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Randee Robinson

Primary Institution: University of Washington

Hypothesis

What are the barriers to mental health care for older adults living in permanent supportive housing?

Conclusion

Older adults in permanent supportive housing face significant barriers to accessing mental health care, which need to be addressed to improve their well-being.

Supporting Evidence

  • Older adults in permanent supportive housing have a higher prevalence of mental health concerns.
  • Engagement with mental health services among older PSH residents remains limited.
  • Themes identified included case manager role, stigma, service navigation, and trustworthiness.

Takeaway

Some older people living in special housing have a hard time getting help for their mental health, and we need to find ways to make it easier for them.

Methodology

A one-hour semi-structured focus group was conducted with eight residents to identify barriers to mental health services.

Limitations

The study was limited to a small sample size from one housing provider.

Participant Demographics

Participants had a mean age of 63.8 years and a mean length of tenancy of 6.6 years.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.0397

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