"In New York, there are two and a half million citizens aged 65 or older, and that population is only expected to grow. We must make sure that our nation's seniors have access to needed services by fully integrating mental health screening and treatment with other health services," Senator Clinton said. "The mental health needs of older Americans are often overlooked or not recognized. This is particularly disturbing considering that one in five Americans aged 65 and older – including more than 32,000 Mainers – suffer from mental illness. This bill will help to promote the mental health and well-being of our older citizens. It is an investment that will return tremendous dividends in terms of improved quality of life, better patient outcomes, and more efficient use of health care dollars," Senator Collins said.
"We can effectively treat many of the mental disorders common in older Americans, but to do this mental health screening must be a key component of primary care services for seniors," said Congressman Kennedy. "Missed opportunities to diagnose and treat mental diseases continues to take a huge toll on the elderly, increasing the burden on their families and our health care system. Not only do we owe our seniors dignity and good health, but providing quality mental health care to older Americans that is also easily accessible, is just simply good policy," added Congressman Kennedy.
"The significance of this legislation cannot be underestimated. I realize the profound impact that access to quality mental healthcare has on our seniors. I believe that such a bill is not only beneficial, but it is also necessary for ensuring that our seniors have access to the mental healthcare they need in order to live a productive life," said Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen.
Specifically, the legislation will provide grant funding through the Administration on Aging, which can be used for mental health screening and treatment services for older Americans. Areas that are underserved and include significant numbers of older adults will be given priority. In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will be authorized to fund projects to provide collaborative mental health services in community settings where older adults reside and receive services. Senators Clinton and Collins and Representatives Kennedy and Ros-Lehtinen first introduced the Positive Aging Act last Congress. More than 30 organizations have endorsed this legislation including the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, American Psychological Association, National Association of Social Workers, and the Older Women's League, among others.
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