Innovative Rural Mental Health Service Delivery for Rural Elders

Abstract

This paper describes rural mental-health service delivery models identified in a 1995 yearlong search by the National Resource Center for Rural Elderly for innovative programs. Programs are classified into those providing direct service and those with an education and training focus. The leadership role of a single individual, palatibility to a rural elderly clientele, and flexibility are found to be shared characteristics of successful direct service models. Successful educationally oriented models are characterized by ongoing involvement of community leaders, development of specialized rurally specific curricula, and marketing that enabled programs to survive beyond their initial demonstration project funding. It is concluded that successful rural models of mental health care must be based on information that is germane to rural community life, specific training of mental health professionals to work in rural settings, engagement of rural elders as peer counselors in outreach, and strong linkages with existing services and programs.

Impacts of Community Resilience on the Implementation of a Mental Health Promotion Program in Rural Australia

“…Similarly, successful mental health programs have reported that flexibility in service delivery is a major consideration in rural circumstances specifically, by allowing program facilitators the ability to respond to the uniqueness and the similarities of each situation. Ideally, programs should be developed and supported to provide rural clients with a high degree of flexibility to utilize the services they consider useful, and when [37]. Conversely, other features of the program structure, including the perceived 'FIFO approach' to service provision were cited as barriers to the program implementation.…”

Flexible Assertive Community Treatment in Rural and Remote Areas: A Qualitative Study of the Challenges and Adaptations of the Model

“…However, if they fit in well with the model, and are developed into new practices that become established as a new way of working and can be repeated, they can be considered as innovations according to Toivonen ( 61 ). Adaptations in rural areas can be intermunicipal collaboration ( 62 ), part- time employment ( 63 ), fewer internal meetings ( 49 , 51 ), lower caseloads ( 51 ), digital tools ( 13 , 14 , 52 , 56 , 64 , 65 ), good planning ( 13 , 15 ), flexible working methods ( 66 ), and collaboration with other services ( 63 , 67 , 68 ). Limited information is available regarding the modifications made to the FACT model by rural FACT teams and if such modifications work.…”

Geographical Gerontology: Mapping a Disciplinary Intersection

“…2008). While contributions by social gerontologists to health services, planning and regulation research are plenty (Bane and Bull 2001; Heenan 2006; Katz and Karuza 1992; Madachy 2003; Parker et al. 2004; Thompson and Wilson 2001; Torrez 1998; Wagar and Walker 1997; Wenger 2001; Wolf and Ballal 2006), the major development here is the established interest in the public policy implications of population ageing (see Rudzitis 1984).…”

“…Attention has been given to examining the political and institutional frameworks (or structures) within which services are provided, particularly as they relate to understanding formal and informal care (Andrews et al 2003;Angus et al 2005;Milligan 2006;Wiles 2003) and, especially, the rural implications of changes in service planning and regulation (Cloutier-Fisher and Joseph 2000;Fortney et al 2003;Hanlon and Halseth 2005;Joseph and Chalmers 1996;Skinner and Joseph 2007;. While contributions by social gerontologists to health services, planning and regulation research are plenty (Bane and Bull 2001;Heenan 2006;Katz and Karuza 1992;Madachy 2003;Parker et al 2004; Thompson and Wilson 2001;Torrez 1998;Wagar and Walker 1997;Wenger 2001;Wolf and Ballal 2006), the major development here is the established interest in the public policy implications of population ageing (see Rudzitis 1984). It is here that geographical gerontology is seen to have great potential (Andrews et al 2007); however, as key commentaries note (see Rosenberg 2003, andalso Harper andLaws 1995;Warnes 1990), researchers are yet to match their innovative research on ageing to the full breadth of challenges facing older populations.…”