Community-Based Older Adults With Mental Illness We Can Do Better

One third of older adults in the community have significant mental health problems, but many do not receive needed treatment for problems such as depression, anxiety, and psychotic disorders. Without effective community-based mental health services, older adults may give up and withdraw from treatment. New collaborative and integrative models of mental health services are being implemented that off er innovative roles for nurses. It is important that nurses, as well as other health care professionals, researchers, and policy makers, continue to advocate for a mental health care system that is accessible and effective for older adults in the community.