A Lay Helper Intervention for Rural Elders with Severe Mental Illness

Carolina Companions established a lay helping relationship between an older adult with severe mental illness and a similar age peer without a mental health diagnosis who was paid to provide companionship and support. In adapting the Rhinelander, Wisconsin model of community supportive care this demonstration project involved elders as providers and recipients of care. Impacts of the intervention on self- rated quality of life among 10 participating consumers matched with 10 comparison older consumers receiving standard community treatment were evaluated. Consumers had numerous chronic physical conditions, reported generally low levels of psychiatric distress, adhered to psychiatric treatment, and increased daily activities and social contacts. Challenges associated with evaluating a small demonstration project for rural elders with mental illness are explored. (C) 2006 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.