The integration of social and psychologic services to improve low-income homebound older adults' access to depression treatment

Abstract

Despite their high vulnerability to depression, a majority of low-income, homebound older adults face multiple barriers to accessing psychologic services. These older adults require both social services for managing their multiple financial and functional needs and psychologic services for managing their depression. Mental health needs of these older adults may be better met if aging service providers provide both social services and psychotherapy. This study outlines the rationale for integrating the social and psychologic services for homebound older adults and the need for research evidence on the feasibility, efficacy, and replicability of implementing such an integrated model.