Objective: To examine the patterns of previous and current mental health services use among older adults in the Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area Follow-up. Examination of a recent cohort of older adults is important because patterns of utilization may have changed due to treatment advances, changes in mental healthcare services, and greater mental health awareness.
Design: A population-based longitudinal survey.
Setting: Continuing participants in a study of community-dwelling adults who were living in East Baltimore in 1981.
Participants: In all, 1,067 adults for whom complete data were available.
Measurements: Separately, and before the mental health assessments were made, participants were asked about use of health services. Cognitive status and physical health were assessed using standardized instruments. Mental disorders were assessed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule.
Results: Compared with adults aged 40-59 years in 2004, adults aged 60 years and older were less likely to report specialty mental health services versus general medical care without a mental health component (adjusted odds ratio = 0.28, 95% confidence interval [0.14-0.56]). Multivariate models controlled for potentially influential characteristics including major depression or depression associated with recent bereavement, anxiety disorders, and past use of mental health services.
Conclusion: Adults aged 60 years and older are approximately one third as likely to consult a specialist in mental health compared with adults aged 40-59 years even accounting for other factors associated with differential use of services. Our study strengthens evidence that the primary care remains important for the treatment of psychiatric disorders in the elderly.