title: Commentary: the forgotten older adult with serious mental illness: the final challenge in achieving the promise of Olmstead?
abstract: Older adults with serious mental illness disproportionately reside in nursing homes despite the U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead decision supporting the rights of persons with disabilities to benefit from integrated services in the community. This commentary addresses the neglected policy debate on implementing Olmstead for this rapidly growing, older population with special needs. First, the author describes research findings on older adults with serious mental illness living in nursing homes who might more appropriately reside and receive services in the community. Second, the author summarizes the evidence base for effective psychosocial rehabilitation interventions and services facilitating independent living in community settings for this subgroup. Finally, he concludes with seven policy recommendations aimed at advancing the promise of the Olmstead decision with respect to older adults with serious mental illness.
authors: Professor of Psychiatry and Community and Family Medicine, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA. sbartels@dartmouth.edu
authors: Stephen J
authors: SJ
authors: Bartels
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000458:organization & administration; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008875:Middle Aged; D028701:Patient Rights; D019989:Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014481:United States