STRENGTHENING SYSTEMS: ADVANCING - SESSION 2110 - Integrated Behavioral Health for Older Adults - Symposium

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Ivy

Implementing integrated behavioral health in aging services faces organizational silos, cross-sector cultural differences, stigma, and insufficient staff trained to address both aging and behavioral health needs. Workforce shortages and the complexity of older adults’ health further hinder integration. This symposium presents strategies such as systems organizational change, training and care coordination improvements, and expanding access to appropriate resources. It covers cross-sector collaboration, use of the 4Ms-Behavioral Health Framework, mobile wellness training, and the CHI model for team-based, patient-centered care.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Session 2110 (Symposium)

Key challenges and integration strategies

Collaboration, 4Ms-Behavioral Health Framework, and training initiatives

CHI framework and patient-centered team-based care

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 195 SESSION 2110 (SYMPOSIUM) Abstract citation ID: igaf122.650 STRENGTHENING SYSTEMS: ADVANCING INTEGRATED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FOR OLDER ADULTS Chair: Allison Gibson Discussant: Kelly O’Malley Implementing integrated behavioral health in aging services presents several challenges, including organizational silos, cultural differences between sectors, stigma, and a lack of trained staff who are equipped to address both aging and behavioral health needs. Workforce shortages and the complexity of older adults’ health needs further complicate integration efforts. This symposium will highlight a series of strategies to overcome these challenges, including systems organizational change, improving training and care coordination, enhancing students’ training in geriatric competencies and workforce development, and increasing access to appropriate resources. The first session discusses collaboration processes with aging-focused and behavioral health providers to foster cross-sector integration. The discussion highlights the importance of system change in making aging services and behavioral health more comprehensive and responsive to older adults. Our second presentation explores utilizing the 4Ms-Behavioral Health Framework to support integration efforts by examining data on behavioral health and substance use among older adults in the U.S. and Australia, emphasizing how training in different settings can lead to meaningful knowledge and behavioral change among interprofessional teams. Our third presentation prepares students to apply geriatric care competencies through the Mobile Health and Wellness Program (MHWP) . Presenters will discuss how this initiative enhances workforce development, preparing future providers to integrate aging and behavioral health care effectively. Our final presentation will discuss the role of the Comprehensive Healthcare Integration (CHI) Framework, which enhances patient-centered care by embedding behavioral health consultants into a team-based model that improves health outcomes and care coordination of older clients.

FAQs

What challenges does the symposium identify for integrated behavioral health in aging services?

It highlights organizational silos, cultural differences across sectors, stigma, and a lack of trained staff able to address both aging and behavioral health needs, compounded by workforce shortages and complex care needs.

Which strategies are presented to overcome these challenges?

The symposium focuses on systems and organizational change, improving training and care coordination, enhancing geriatric competency training and workforce development, and increasing access to appropriate resources.

How do the session’s presentations support integration efforts?

They include cross-sector collaboration with aging and behavioral health providers, application of the 4Ms-Behavioral Health Framework using behavioral health and substance use data, student preparation through a Mobile Health and Wellness Program, and use of the CHI framework to embed behavioral health consultants in team-based care.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Ivy