Serving Adults with Serious Mental Illness in the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly: Promising Practices
Authors: Logan Kelly and Nancy Archibald, Center for Health Care Strategies, and Amy Herr, West Health Policy Center
Effective behavioral health services are urgently needed within the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), especially for older adults with Serious Mental Illness (SMI). Various PACE organizations have adopted innovative practices to enhance service delivery, including the development of participant assessment processes that swiftly identify and support individuals with complex needs, the integration of specialized interdisciplinary care teams, and ongoing staff training to keep pace with evolving behavioral health care models. Notable examples from PACE Southeast Michigan and Providence ElderPlace Portland demonstrate how these practices significantly improve care coordination and the overall well-being of participants.
These integrated care models play a crucial role in addressing the dual challenges of physical and behavioral health conditions among the elderly with SMI. Leveraging a combined Medicare-Medicaid payment model allows PACE organizations to provide comprehensive care that encompasses medical, behavioral, and social services, effectively reducing care fragmentation and improving health outcomes. Highlighting collaboration with community mental health providers, these integrated practices are transforming care delivery, creating a more sustainable and person-centered approach to healthcare for seniors with serious mental illnesses.