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Mental health and the aging: A review of the literature for clinical social workers

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Abstract

This article is a review of the literature on recent trends in mental health services to the elderly. The focus is on clinical services to elderly living outside of mental hospitals but includes services to residents of community nursing homes and homes for the aged. It is concluded that there is currently a “non-system” of services failing to meet present mental health needs. Current restrictive government reimbursement policies and national health insurance proposals are focused on treatment for acute episodic illness. This orientation does not permit a broader preventive perspective or a comprehensive mental health care approach.

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  1. Social Work Service, The Mt. Sinai Medical Center, One Gustav Levy Place, 10029, New York, New York

    Barbara Berkman

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  1. Barbara Berkman
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Berkman, B. Mental health and the aging: A review of the literature for clinical social workers. Clin Soc Work J 6, 230–245 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00760158

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