SAMHSA report urges life span approach to older adult care

As the U.S. population ages, behavioral health systems are facing mounting pressure to adapt to the complex needs of older adults. A new report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sheds light on the urgent need for more integrated, life span–oriented care models. The recent report explores how fragmented services and siloed systems often leave older adults without adequate support — particularly those navigating co-occurring mental health, substance use and chronic medical conditions.