Mental health services in nursing homes: A survey of nursing home administrative personnel

Purpose: Mental health problems are pervasive in nursing homes (NHs), but little is known regarding the delivery of mental health services in these settings. To fill this gap in knowledge, we conducted a survey of NH administrative personnel views on mental health services use. Design and methods: We analyzed 146 surveys from NH administrative personnel, reflecting 70% of the NHs that sent representatives to training conferences held at four Florida locations. Results: There is substantial provision of mental health services (approximately half of the NHs have psychologists, psychiatrists and other MDs consulting on a weekly basis) and high satisfaction with services currently offered. Mental health services are typically provided by outside consultants who most frequently address behavior problems, anxiety/fears and depression. Sub-analyses of mental health service usage by types of NHs were largely non-significant. Almost half of the NHs reported the involuntary hospitalization of at least one resident during the previous year. No barriers to mental health services were rated as serious, and no mental health services were viewed as very difficult to provide. Top perceived barriers to mental health services delivery were resident and family attitudes towards mental health services; administrator and staff attitudes were perceived to be less problematic. Specialty psychotherapeutic services were the most difficult to provide in NHs, with psychopharmacological interventions the least difficult to provide. Implications: Administrators report a variety of mental health services provided by a diverse group of professionals in NHs, and are generally satisfied with the treatment provided.