Depression In the Elderly
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Depression In the Elderly
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Identifying Symptoms of Depression “Real” Intersection of Systems Resource Links |
Resource Links National MedlinePlus is a source of reliable, authoritative and up-to-date health information from the National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health. It contains information on 650+ diseases and conditions, lists of hospitals and physicians, a medical encyclopedia and a medical dictionary, health information in Spanish, extensive information on prescription and nonprescription drugs, and links to thousands of clinical trials. HealthFinder is a governmental, reliable Web site for health information. It contains more than 36 up-to-date articles on depression in relation to other illnesses, such as depression and heart disease. It also contains articles on late-life depression, and depression and suicide for older adults. Founded in 1887, the National Institutes of Health is one of the world's foremost medical research centers, and the Federal focal point for medical research in the United States. The NIH is one of eight health agencies of the Public Health Service which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH’s goal is to acquire new knowledge to help prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat disease and disability. The National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse promotes and helps to develop consumer-run self-help groups across the country. Technical assistance and materials are available on such topics as organizing groups, fundraising, leadership development, incorporating, public relations, advocacy, and networking. 215-751-1810. The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with mental illnesses. The organization provides education and support, and maintains a helpline for information on mental illnesses and referrals to local groups. Toll-free 888-473-0237. The National Institute of Mental Health is the lead Federal agency for research on mental and behavioral disorders. Its Web site contains a information about the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for a wide variety of mental health issues. 1-866-615-6464. The American Academy of Family Physicians offers a wealth of information on depression, including an on-line geriatric depression scale, a list of medications that can cause depression, and an article differentiating depression and dementia. 1-800-274-2237. HealthyPlace.com is the largest consumer mental health site, providing information from a consumer and expert point of view. It contains active chat rooms, support groups, online journals, and other consumer-based programs. The National Association for Rural Mental Health is based in central Minnesota. Its membership includes the entire spectrum of the rural mental health community: consumers, family members, practitioners, administrators, educators, researchers, and policy makers. It provides information through its Web site, listservs, as well as an annual conference. AgriWellness serves underserved and at-risk agricultural families, particularly those who cannot afford health insurance in a seven state region, including Minnesota. The non-profit’s services include outreach to individuals and families, provides professional training, has an information clearinghouse and a crisis hotline for support. The National Mental Health Association maintains a referral and information center and can help locate local chapters. These local groups have information about community services. 1-800-969-6642. The American
Association for Geriatric Psychology offers referrals to geriatric
psychiatrists, as well as publications on depression in later life. 301-654-7850
extension 100. In Minnesota To find a treatment provider in the community, or local services for a wide variety of needs, search MinnesotaHelp.info. This extensive online resource was developed by the Minnesota Board on Aging. A one-page handout (PDF 169KB) on this excellent resource can be found in the handouts section of this module. The Minnesota Board on Aging is the gateway to services for seniors and their families. First established in 1956, the organization works closely with its Area Agencies on Aging, which are located throughout the state, to provide services that seniors need. 1-800-882-6262, The Board has developed a resource list for consumers.[ADD Web link of handout] The Minnesota Area Agencies on Aging help the elderly throughout the state by creating and sustaining a comprehensive continuum of supportive services in the community. The Senior LinkAge Line® is a free state-wide telephone information and assistance service that makes it easy for older adults and their families to locate community services. Call toll-free 1-800-333-2433. TDD/TTY users can call the Minnesota Relay Service at: 1-800-627-3529 and ask for the Senior Linkage Line® number listed above. The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill-Minnesota has a faith-based program called Faithways. The organization is looking forward to working with churches in addressing mental health issues. It works with congregational nurses to assist in their practice and provide mental health education to groups. Contact NAMI-Minnesota 651-545-2948, or toll free 1-888-473-0237. The State of Minnesota Department of Human Services offers advice for individuals who would like to access mental health services, but have questions about whether services would be covered by their insurance plan (either public or private). The Department of Human Services (PDF 46KB) also certifies mental health centers and clinics for insurance purposes. This pdf has a complete listing of Minnesota providers arranged by county, with information on the location as well as the phone number. The State Mental Health Agency provides information about admission, care, treatment, release, and patient follow-up in public or private psychiatric residential facilities. Contact 651-582-1990, or go to The Office of the Ombudsman is an independent state agency that receives and reviews complaints about the service delivery system for persons with mental disabilities. Contact: 651-296-3848. The Mental Health Association of Minnesota is the oldest and largest mental health advocacy and education agency in Minnesota, founded in 1939. The organization provides individual advocacy case services, community support referrals, educational materials, workshops and community presentations, and other services. Its Web site also has information in Spanish. Contact: 1-800-862-1799. The Minnesota Bio-Brain Association offers education, support groups, advocate for families and individuals. 612-922-6916. SAVE (Suicide
Awareness Voices of Education) is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit that
provides information about clinical depression and suicide prevention.
952-946-7998. Local Elders Counseling Elders is free program in the Twin Cities coordinated through Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly. It matches clients with trained volunteer counselors to help them deal with issues of grief and loss, anxiety, depression and adjusting to issues related to aging. 612-721-6215. In Minnesota, each county human/social service agency is responsible for providing public mental health services. Counties contract with mental health providers to provide mental health treatment on a sliding fee scale. If an individual uses one of these county providers, the charges for treatment will be reduced based on ability to pay. The suggested fee scale is based on family size and income. Some counties have information on-line. For a list of county Web sites, click on county human/social service agencies. Click here for a complete listing of county social
service agencies and phone numbers in Minnesota. County and city public health agencies focus on preventing disease and promoting healthy behaviors. Public Health Nurses provide support, health counseling, assessment and nursing care to individuals and families, including older adults facing mental health issues. Fees are based on income and family size. If a person cannot pay the fee, most services are still available. A complete listing of county and city public health agencies. Hennepin County Older Adult and Outreach Services Program offers two specialty units. One provides a full range of mental health services to adults ages 55 and older who live in the community and adults who reside in Hennepin County nursing homes. The second unit provides mental health services to homeless adults. 612-347-5770. Click here for information on mental health services offered county-wide. Hennepin County Congregational Nurse Liaison, Allen Henden, LSW, can assist congregational nurses in maneuvering and accessing Hennepin County services. Many parish nurses have found Allen to be extremely helpful. Contact Allen at 612-821-4515. Ramsey County Mental Health/Chemical Dependency Services offer a wide variety of services to help people of all ages who are experiencing various emotional, behavioral, chemical dependency or mental health difficulties. 651-266-7900. Anoka County Health Care and Mental Health has mental health services for adults, including seniors, including crisis help, assessment/evaluation, psychiatry, counseling, case management, advocacy and help with chemical dependency. 763-422-7070. Washington County Mental Health assist adults who struggle with a serious and persistent mental illness with referrals to community resources which may include: housing, transportation, applying for benefits, social rehabilitation, outpatient therapy, day treatment programs, and psychiatric services. 651-430-6484. |