Grants to Enhance Older Adult Behavioral Health Services

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2011 for Grants to Enhance Older Adult Behavioral Health Services. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to expand existing Older Adult Targeted Capacity Expansion (TCE) programs to include a focus on the prevention of suicide and prescription drug misuse and abuse among the older adult population. For the purpose of this program, the target population is defined as persons 60 years and older who are at risk for or are experiencing behavioral health problems. SAMHSA is collaborating with the U.S. Administration on Aging on this initiative. To date, Older Adult TCE programs have implemented services based on a variety of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) models, for older adults, resulting in expanded effective service delivery and positive individual outcomes. For the purpose of this program, the target population is defined as persons 60 years and older who are at risk for or are experiencing behavioral health problems. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities. In support of the Agency's work with older Americans, including helping grantees prevent suicide and prescription drug misuse and abuse, SAMHSA is collaborating with the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) on this initiative. SAMHSA and AoA partnership will provide learning opportunities and support planning for states and communities so that behavioral health services for older adults can be coordinated and planned through aging, mental health and substance abuse prevention networks for states/communities. The new millennium brings the challenge of caring for an increasingly large population of older adults who have significant healthcare needs. The vast majority of these individuals will have at least one chronic health condition. Mental illnesses will account for a significant number of those conditions, existing as a single condition or as co-morbidities. Further compounding the issue is the continued growth of substance abuse and the rate of suicide among older adults. Suicide is a serious public health problem that affects people of all ages. Among the older adult population, it is a growing concern. The elderly comprise approximately 12 percent of the population, but account for almost 16 percent of all suicides in the U.S. In 2007, the rate of suicide among older adults was approximately 14.3 per 100,000. Studies have shown that older adults die by suicide at a higher rate than the national average, and that the rates increase after age 64, primarily among white men1. When older adults attempt suicide, they are more likely to die: 1 out of every 4 older adults who attempt suicide dies compared to 1 out of every 100-200 younger adults who attempt suicide2. Studies show that many older adults who die by suicide � up to 75 percent- visited a physician within a month before death3. These findings underscore the urgent need to improve the detection and prevention of suicide risks among older adults. As older adults continue to age, they are likely to use more prescription drugs as well as over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Approximately 80 percent of all seniors have at least one chronic health condition, and 50 percent have at least two. Nine out of every ten persons between the ages of 57 to 85 use OTC medication, dietary supplements and nearly three in ten use at least five prescriptions4. Between 1997 and 2008, the rate of hospital admissions for medication and illicit drug use related conditions for persons between the ages of 65 and 84, grew by 96 percent, and for persons 85 and older it grew 87 percent. Medication misuse and abuse can cause a range of harmful side effects such as drug-induced delirium and dementia, and other problems common in older adults. These findings elucidate the complex relationship between substance abuse and behavioral health conditions and further highlight the need to address the prevention of prescription misuse/abuse among the older adult population. The Older Adult TCE program is one of SAMHSA's services grant programs. This funding opportunity is a one-time, 18-month award to increase and expand behavioral health service delivery to address the prevention of suicide and prescription drug misuse/abuse among older adults. SAMHSA has identified eight Strategic Initiatives to focus the Agency's work on improving lives and capitalizing on emerging opportunities. More information is available at the SAMHSA website: http://www.samhsa.gov/About/strategy.aspx. This program is aligned with both the Prevention of Substance Abuse and Mental Illness and the Recovery Support Strategic Initiatives. Specifically, the program will address the behavioral health and recovery support needs of older adults. SAMHSA intends that its services grants result in the delivery of services as soon as possible after award. Service delivery should begin by the 3rd month of the project at the latest.