Mental health in older adults: an introduction for integrated care professionals

The number of older adults in the United States and much of the world is rapidly increasing as individuals continue to live longer, healthier lives, and is expected to continue growing over the next several decades. As a result, healthcare settings are constantly adapting to meet the specialized needs of this aging population. One major adaptation in the delivery of healthcare services is a shift toward integrated healthcare settings wherein older adults can seek services for a variety of physical and mental health needs within a single system. This article addresses several pertinent issues unique to working with older adults within integrated care settings to prepare practitioners for effectively serving older adult patients. We begin with an overview of key demographics of aging in the United States and of professional geropsychology. This is followed by a discussion of key issues relevant to serving older adults in integrated care settings, such as the roles of behavioral health professionals, common comorbidities among older adults, intervention effectiveness, and standards for professional competency. We conclude with a discussion of evidence-based psychological and cognitive assessment of older adults, highlighting measures that may be considered for use in integrated care settings.