Growing Use of Mental and General Health Care Services Among Older Veterans With Mental Illness.
OBJECTIVE
National data from Veterans Health Administration (VHA) electronic medical records were used to examine rates of mental illness and service use among older veterans since mental health care transformation efforts were implemented in 2005.


METHODS
Data were extracted from VHA electronic medical records for each fiscal year from 2005 through 2013 for veterans ages 65 and older. Among those receiving any health care services, the number and proportion treated for a confirmed mental illness and the utilization of non-mental health care services were identified.


RESULTS
In 2013, 2.6 million older veterans utilized services in VHA, 14% of whom had a confirmed mental illness, which was a 57% increase from 2005. Older veterans with confirmed mental illness accounted for a sizable and growing proportion of non-mental health service utilization.


CONCLUSIONS
Preparing the workforce to address the mental health needs of older veterans and nonveterans is essential.
Dr. Wiechers and Dr. Hoff are with the Northeast Program Evaluation Center, Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Mental Health Operations, West Haven, Connecticut, and the Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut (e-mail: ilse.wiechers@yale.edu ). Dr. Karel is with Mental Health Services, VA Central Office, Washington, D.C. Dr. Karlin is with the Education Development Center, Inc., New York City, and with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. Dr. Karlin was with Mental Health Services, VA Central Office, Washington, D.C., at the time of the study.
Ilse R
IR
Wiechers
Dr. Wiechers and Dr. Hoff are with the Northeast Program Evaluation Center, Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Mental Health Operations, West Haven, Connecticut, and the Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut (e-mail: ilse.wiechers@yale.edu ). Dr. Karel is with Mental Health Services, VA Central Office, Washington, D.C. Dr. Karlin is with the Education Development Center, Inc., New York City, and with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. Dr. Karlin was with Mental Health Services, VA Central Office, Washington, D.C., at the time of the study.
Michele J
MJ
Karel
Dr. Wiechers and Dr. Hoff are with the Northeast Program Evaluation Center, Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Mental Health Operations, West Haven, Connecticut, and the Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut (e-mail: ilse.wiechers@yale.edu ). Dr. Karel is with Mental Health Services, VA Central Office, Washington, D.C. Dr. Karlin is with the Education Development Center, Inc., New York City, and with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. Dr. Karlin was with Mental Health Services, VA Central Office, Washington, D.C., at the time of the study.
Rani
R
Hoff
Dr. Wiechers and Dr. Hoff are with the Northeast Program Evaluation Center, Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Mental Health Operations, West Haven, Connecticut, and the Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut (e-mail: ilse.wiechers@yale.edu ). Dr. Karel is with Mental Health Services, VA Central Office, Washington, D.C. Dr. Karlin is with the Education Development Center, Inc., New York City, and with the Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. Dr. Karlin was with Mental Health Services, VA Central Office, Washington, D.C., at the time of the study.
Bradley E
BE
Karlin
D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D058014:Veterans Health