One-Third Of Outpatient Behavioral Health Facilities Offer Programs Tailored For Older Adults

Most outpatient behavioral health facilities accepted older adults, but only one-third offered programs specifically tailored for adults age 65 and older. Compounding the access problem, less than half of substance use treatment facilities accepted Medicare, compared to about two-thirds of mental health facilities and mixed mental health and substance use treatment facilities. Older adults are also 40% less likely to receive mental health or addiction treatment compared to younger adults, including in specialty settings.

Older adults with behavioral health conditions often have other chronic health problems, including neurocognitive disorders and ongoing physical health problems. Their co-occurring conditions . . .