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Michael D. Pitman reports about Butler County, Ohio, politics, county government, countywide issues and Butler County people just like you for Cox Ohio Publishing (including the Hamilton JournalNews, Middletown Journal and several weekly papers in Butler County). He wants your suggestions and questions for more news stories. Leave a comment for him here or e-mail Michael at Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2010 > January > 23 > Entry
New program helps elderly with depression
As people age, their world can close in on them, experts warn. Their spouses sometimes die, their children move away, their health declines.
“These things all kind of compound,” said Jim Beiting, executive director of Community Behavioral Health. “There’s that certain amount of loneliness that can breed into depression.”
In all, mental health experts estimate one in five senior citizens suffer from mental health issues.
Making matters worse, many senior citizens don’t have transportation and see a stigma attached to asking someone for mental health help.
Working together, the Butler County Mental Health Board and Council on Aging of Southwest Ohio are trying to address these issues with two new programs. The programs are administered by Community Behavioral Health, which is reporting an overwhelming response.
One program puts a therapist in doctor’s offices frequented by senior citizens in Oxford, Middletown, Hamilton and Fairfield — “every corner of Butler County,” Beiting said.
That way, the resident’s primary care physician can walk down the hall and get someone if they have a patient showing signs of depression: including problems sleeping or eating, or listlessness.
The other program brings therapists to people’s homes to provide counseling.
Council on Aging CEO Suzanne Burke said the effort was based on a successful pilot program.
“We learned that it was possible to bring mental health services into seniors’ homes and alleviate mental suffering among those who couldn’t seek help on their own,” Burke said.
Launched in the Fall with $600,000 annual funding from the two local agencies — helping cover the cost for people who don’t have insurance or Medicare — the program has already had 55 referrals and is treating 40 people.
To be eligible for the program, someone must be over age 65 and impaired in daily activity, or a client of the Elderly Services Program.
“We’re really excited about the numbers we’ve gotten,” Beiting said. “I think there’s several thousand people in Butler County that could take advantage of this program.”
Mental Health Board officials said this is the only program of its kind in the state, and could be a model for helping elderly people stay in their homes.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: Senior Services
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By CBHAt ItAgain
January 27, 2010 6:13 AM | Link to this
Come on Josh. Someone has got to investigate CBH…or is it Resolutions? They are all in the same (all under the SAME management) - taking tax monies and giving substandard services to the people of Butler County. Why did Life Span not get this contract?? Why is monies going to CGH without bids? Check their gig there on the Fort Hamilton property. Money and NO BID! This is why I no longer work there - crooks! INVESTIGATE!!
By Wendy Pierce-Stephens
February 8, 2010 10:19 PM | Link to this
Josh, no where did it mention the names of these pilot programs for services for the elderly mental health! I am a caregiver for Elderly.I think it is great that they are going to address this issue with elderly people. I work with many who need these programs! Could you please leave me a message as to what the names of the programs are so I could inform my clients of them! Thankyou
By Jake Brown
June 27, 2011 4:07 AM | Link to this
Now I feel dumb. That makes much more sense
By Dr. Drugs
July 3, 2011 3:04 PM | Link to this
There is perceptibly a bundle to know about this. I consider you made certain good points