October 22, 2007 - Vol 1, Issue 24
200+ Organizations Support a Multi-Year Initiative for Geriatric Mental Health in NYS
Over 220 organizations have signed-on to our letter to Governor Spitzer asking him to support a multi-year effort to confront the mental health needs of older adults beginning with including funding for OMH's and OFA's joint geriatric mental health budget priorities in his Executive Budget Request.
Has Your Organization Signed-On?: If your organization can sign-on to the letter and has not yet, please contact us - yhsin@mhaofnyc.org or (212) 614-6356 - with your organization's name as it should appear on the list.
Thank you for your advocacy!
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GMHA Upcoming Events
November 16, 2007 - Semi- Annual Alliance Membership Meeting Please join fellow Alliance members for an exciting semi-annual meeting. The Mental Health Associations of NYC and Westchester will be awarding Assemblymember Peter Rivera, Chair of the Assembly Mental Health Committee for his leadership in geriatric mental health. There will be presentations from some of the OMH geriatric mental health grantees. We will also spend time discussing the upcoming NYS and NYC budgets with regards to geriatric mental health.
The meeting will take place from 9:30AM- 12:00PM at the UJA Federation of New York, 130 East 59th Street, NYC - 7th Floor. Please register by emailing yhsin@mhaofnyc.org or calling (212) 614- 6356. The event is free but pre-registration is required.
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Federal Parity in Medicare
Mental Health Parity for Medicare
From The Medicare Rights Center
October 4, 2007 · Volume 7, Issue 39
Last month, both houses of Congress moved forward on key legislation to protect working Americans from excessive out-of-pocket costs for mental health care.
The Mental Health Parity Act of 2007, sponsored by Senator Pete Domenici, Republican of New Mexico, in the Senate, and Representative Patrick Kennedy, Democrat of Rhode Island, in the House, pushes private health insurance plans to set coverage-deductibles, copayments and coverage limits-for mental health services on par with the benefits of other outpatient medical services.
While the legislation took nearly two years of negotiations between Congress, industry representatives and mental health advocates, it now enjoys broad legislative support. Upon the bill's introduction in February, representatives of Aetna released a message of support stating, "The federal legislation will create a national solution to inconsistent behavioral health care regulation, inconsistencies that can be a threat to Americans' overall health."
A George Washington University study described higher cost-sharing for mental health services as "a once common practice in commercial insurance products," which has diminished due to "growing recognition that untreated mental illness can fuel overall health care spending."
Like many of the private benefit packages Congress is seeking to improve, Medicare, a public program covering 44 million Americans, requires a higher out-of-pocket contribution for outpatient mental health services. People with Medicare must pay 50 percent coinsurance for outpatient mental health care, in contrast to 20 percent for nearly all other outpatient services. Although higher coinsurance rates were originally implemented to contain costs and prevent overuse, they also reflect a view that stigmatizes those who seek mental health care.
With mental health parity becoming the new norm, why should Medicare maintain an outdated and discriminatory copayment scheme?
Senators Olympia Snowe, Republican of Maine, and John Kerry, Democrat of Massachusetts, introduced the Medicare Mental Health Copayment Equity Act, which reduces Medicare mental health coinsurance rates to match those of other outpatient services at 20 percent. The Senate has yet to move on this legislation as it has on the Kennedy bill that affects only private health insurance.
The need for mental health parity is even greater for Medicare, however. Studies continually show that people with Medicare have a higher prevalence of mental illness, with 26 percent suffering from mental impairment compared to 21 percent of the general population.
Because of the higher coinsurance, people with Medicare with mental illness often receive diminished access to care. Many do not seek treatment or, when they do, require costly inpatient intervention. According to the George Washington University study, in 2001 fifty-six percent of Medicare mental health spending went to inpatient care, with 30 percent going to outpatient services. In contrast, half of mental health spending for the general population went to outpatient services, with only 24 percent going to inpatient care.
Recent studies show that some of the most common mental disorders among people with Medicare are related to anxiety and depression, which are usually treatable in outpatient or community settings.
If left untreated, mental illness can contribute to a decline in overall physical health or well-being. If, like in the private industry, payment parity were implemented for Medicare, many mental disorders could be treated before they required inpatient intervention, saving federal funds and, more importantly, improving the health of people with Medicare.
The Senate needs to act now to end Medicare's discriminatory coverage of mental health care. Please ask your senator to cosponsor the Medicare Mental Health Copayment Equity Act of 2007.
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In The News
Aging and Gay, and Facing Prejudice in Twilight
By Jane Gross
From the NY Times
October 9, 2007
Even now, at 81 and with her memory beginning to fade, Gloria Donadello recalls her painful brush with bigotry at an assisted-living center in Santa Fe, N.M. Sitting with those she considered friends, "people were laughing and making certain kinds of comments, and I told them, 'Please don't do that, because I'm gay.'"
The result of her outspokenness, Ms. Donadello said, was swift and merciless. "Everyone looked horrified," she said. No longer included in conversation or welcome at meals, she plunged into depression. Medication did not help. With her emotional health deteriorating, Ms. Donadello moved into an adult community nearby that caters to gay men and lesbians.
"I felt like I was a pariah," she said, settled in her new home. "For me, it was a choice between life and death."
Elderly gay people like Ms. Donadello, living in nursing homes or assisted-living centers or receiving home care, increasingly report that they have been disrespected, shunned or mistreated in ways that range from hurtful to deadly, even leading some to commit suicide.
Some have seen their partners and friends insulted or isolated. Others live in fear of the day when they are dependent on strangers for the most personal care. That dread alone can be damaging, physically and emotionally, say geriatric doctors, psychiatrists and social workers.
The plight of the gay elderly has been taken up by a generation of gay men and lesbians, concerned about their own futures, who have begun a national drive to educate care providers about the social isolation, even outright discrimination, that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender clients face.
Several solutions are emerging. In Boston, New York, Chicago, Atlanta and other urban centers, so-called L.G.B.T. Aging Projects are springing up, to train long-term care providers. At the same time, there is a move to separate care, with the comfort of the familiar.
To read the entire article, click here.
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Upcoming Events
October 24, 2007 - Caring for a Family Member, Caring for Yourself The first in a three-part breakfast seminar series on issues of aging and caregiving co-sponsored by The Jewish Home and Hospital, Jewish Board of Family and Children Services, and UJA Federation of NY. The seminar will take place from 8:00-9:30AM at the Ben Barrack Auditorium of The Jewish Home and Hospital Lifecare System, 120 West 106th Street, NY, NY.
October 26, 2007 - Prevention of Suicide in Older Adults A half day conference sponsored by the NY Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, NAMI-NYC Metro, and the Suicide Intervention Center of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. The conference will take place from 8:00AM - 12:30PM at Lighthouse International, 111 East 59th Street, NYC.
November 1, 2007 - JASA's Mind Alert Training A train-the-trainer program designed for professionals and volunteers working with older adults in senior centers, NORC-SSPs, and other community agencies. The program will take place from 9:30-3:30PM at the Evelyn and Louis Green Residence at Cooper Square, 200 East 5th Street, NYC.
November 7, 2007 - Geriatric Mental Health Conference: Aging Gracefully - A System's Perspective A free conference co-sponsored by South Oaks Hospital & Suffolk County Division of Community Mental Hygiene regarding Geriatric Mental health. The program will take place from 8:30am- 2:30pm at the Meadow Club Port Jefferson Station. For more information please call (631) 608-5052.
For the schedule, click here.
For the registration form, click here.
November 7- 8th, 2007 - HCA Clinical and Technology Conference This two day conference will focus on recognizing and addressing mental health issues among the patients served by home care agencies. The conference will take place at the Holiday Inn, Wolf Road, Albany, NY.
November 8, 2007 - Save the Date: 23rd Annual Mayoral Conference on Alzheimer's Disease A full day conference co-sponsored by the NYC Dept for the Aging, the Aging in NY Fund, and The Zachary and Elizabeth M. Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation.
November 9, 2007 - Mental Health Leadership Orientation An orientation and training program for directors or senior staff members of mental health organizations in NYC. The event is co- sponsored by NAMI-NYC Metro, the Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies, and the Mental Health Associations of NYC and Westchester. The event will take place from 9AM-4PM at Kramer Levin Naftalis and Frankel, 1177 Avenue of the Americas, 46th Street, NYC.
November 13, 2007 - NYC Consumer Forum with new Executive Deputy Commissioner for Mental Hygiene, David Rosin, MD The event will be held from 4:00PM- 6:00pm at Kramer Levin Naftalis and Frankel, 1177 Avenue of Americas- 6th Avenue at 46 St. Anyone and everyone is welcome but you must RSVP. Please contact Carla Rabinowitz, Esq. at 212- 780-1400 x7726 or Crabinowitz@communityaccess.org.
NYS Office of Mental Health's Wellness Self-Management Services Public Forums A series of public forums throughout the month of November to promote the widespread implementation of wellness self management (WSM) services for adults with serious mental health problems. For information on what is Wellness Self Management (WSM) services, click here and here. For a schedule of the public forums, click here. For the formal invitation, click here.
Educational Seminar Series at Service Program for Older People (SPOP) This training opportunity features SPOP clinicians who have extensive experience with older adults and mental health. It is offered to the professional geriatrics community and all who work with seniors. Each seminar is held at: 302 West 91st Street at West End Avenue, New York, NY. Seminar fee: $15. Discount for 3 or more attendees from the same organization. Space is limited. Please register in advance by mail or online at www.spop.org or call: 212-787-7102 ext.515.
For topics, dates, and registration information, click here.
April 12, 2008 - Save the Date: The Paradoxes of Aging: Psychotherapy with Older Adults A conference sponsored by The Met Chapter of the New York State Society of Clinical Social Workers and co- sponsored by the Geriatric Mental Health Alliance and Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service.
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NCEA Webcast
October 23, 2007 - Healthy IDEAS: An Evidence Based Depression Program A webcast designed for state and community Adult Protective Services (APS) representatives, case managers, area agencies on aging, mental health professionals and others who have a role in organizing or providing direct services to victims/potential elder abuse victims. Presenters will provide background on the development and results of this practical intervention and explain how through effective partnerships this practice can be implemented to benefit older adults and families in your state/community.
Description of Program: Healthy IDEAS (Identifying Depression, Empowering Activities for Seniors) is an evidence-based program designed to detect and reduce the severity of depressive symptoms among diverse community dwelling older adults and caregivers. The model program was developed as a depression self-management program and uses four evidence-based components including 1) screening and assessment of depressive symptoms; 2) education for older adults and family caregivers about depression and self-care; 3) referral and linkage to healthcare and mental health professionals; and 4) behavioral activation. Healthy IDEAS recently received a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) Science and Service Award for mental health promotion.
Speakers:
Nancy L. Wilson, Healthy IDEAS Team Leader, Baylor College of Medicine, Huffington Center on Aging, Department of Medicine-Geriatrics, Houston, Texas
Esther Steinberg, Project Coordinator, Healthy IDEAS, Care for Elders, Sheltering Arms Senior Services, Houston, Texas
Time: 3:00 - 4:30 pm EST
Registration Link: http://www.visualwebcaster.com/event.asp ?id=42528
To Register:
1. Click on the appropriate Registration Link (above)
2. Complete the Registration Form
3. Complete the systems check; download free software, if needed. Participation requires that you have sound capability on your computer.
To Access the Web cast
1. On the day/time of the session, 5-10 minutes before start-time, use the Registration Link to access the Webcast.
2. If you are not able to attend, a Taped Archive will be available within 24 hours after the sessions conclude. Use the Registration Link to access the Archive.
Questions? Contact: Suzanne Stack, NASUA, Email: sstack@nasua.org
*This webcast is part of a project administered by the National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA), with funding from the U.S. Administration on Aging for the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), Grant # 90 AM 2792.
