Keywords
older adults, access to care, care continuum, depression, Mississippi
Document Type
Commentaries
Abstract
The mental health of older adults is of national concern. There is some uncertainty regarding access to care and whether mental and behavioral health care will be readily available in primary care settings. This paper explores the concepts of integrated delivery of care and continuity of care for older adults. The definitions of the two concepts vary in detail, but are similar in purpose. There is an array of strategies presented that outline a continuity of care that involves an integrated delivery system. Relationship development is the core of this system, as well as older adults’ ability and willingness to adjust to differing levels of care. Although benefits of this system exist for all stakeholders, challenges may arise. Service providers may be accustomed to managing older adult cases as though these patients were non-breathing parts on an assembly line. In this purview, older adults should be expected to have some apprehension about the movement of the conveyor belt and the motive of the switch controller. A better way to gauge the process is the availability of an integrated system and continuity of care on the proverbial conveyor belt.
Recommended Citation
Hemphill, T. V.
(2024). Integrated Delivery of Health Care and Continuity of Care for Older Mississippians With Mental and Behavioral Health Concerns.
Journal of Public Health in the Deep South, 4(1), 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55533/2996-6833.1090