Mental health service use and cost of care for older adults in assisted living facilities: implications for public policy.
With changing demographics prompting greater demand for assisted living facility (ALF) care, indigent older adults with mental health needs face underfunded residential care options and mental health systems currently unprepared to meet their service requirements. In particular, over-reliance on inpatient mental health services for older individuals with mental illness and inadequate reimbursement of ALF facilities potentially increase costs and threaten availability of ALF care. This article analyzes Florida's administrative data and presents findings on mental health service use and cost of care for poor older persons. Using Florida as an example, the authors recommend policy changes to ensure the quality and availability of residential care for low-income adults with mental health needs.
Becker
Marion
M
Department of Community Mental Health, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. becker@fmhi.usf.edu
Stiles
Paul
P
Schonfeld
Lawrence
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003688:Deinstitutionalization; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends; D016852:Housing for the Elderly / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D008875:Middle Aged; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011203:Poverty; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care