RESOURCES FOR OLDER ADULTS
MENTAL HEALTH AND SUICIDE PREVENTION: OLDER ADULTS
AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION
The Four D’s of Suicide Risk in Older Adults
Dr. Yeates Conwell, Director, Geriatric Psychiatry Program Director, Center for Study and Prevention of Suicide, University of Rochester Medical Center talks about the four D’s that contribute to suicide risk in older adults.
FRIENDSHIP LINE
The Institute on Aging’s 24-hour toll-free Friendship Line is the only accredited crisis line in the country for people aged 60 years and older, and adults living with disabilities. Knowing that older people do not contact traditional suicide prevention centers on a regular basis even if they are considering suicide, the Institute created the only program nationwide that reaches out to lonely, depressed, isolated, frail and/or suicidal older adults. Trained volunteers specialize in offering a caring ear and having a friendly conversation with depressed older adults.
The Friendship Line is both a crisis intervention hotline and a warmline for non-emergency emotional support calls. For the 24-hour toll-free FRIENDSHIP LINE call 1-800-971-0016.
CENTER FOR ELDERLY SUICIDE PREVENTION (CESP)
Provides counseling, referrals, grief support programs, and even well-being checks for tens of thousands of older and disabled adults in California and beyond. The Friendship Line is a national helpline. However, outreach and other services are available only in the San Francisco Bay area at this time. For more information, please visit the website or call the Institute on Aging at 1-415-750-4111.
MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA: Preventing Suicide in Older Adults
Provides a fact sheet identifying the signs and risks for suicide in the age group with links to information on Medicare coverage for mental health services.
HELPGUIDE.ORG
Helpguide’s mission is to help people understand, prevent and resolve many of life’s challenges by providing knowledge and hope. Their goal is to give individuals the information and encouragement they need to take charge of their health, well-being and make healthy choices. The website provides comprehensive information for mental and emotional health; family and relationships; healthy living; and seniors and aging.
The Suicide Prevention page provides an understanding of suicide for all populations, including the higher risk factors for teens and older adults, dispels misconceptions, identifies the warning signs, and offers guidance on how to help.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH “OLDER ADULTS AND MENTAL HEALTH”
Information, brochures, fact sheets, videos and links to federal resources for older adults and mental health.
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON AGING
Information to help seniors with behavioral/mental health issues, economic security, healthy living including falls management, nutrition, chronic disease management.
DRUGS.COM
Drugs.com is an independent medicine information website that aims “to empower patients with the knowledge to better manage their own healthcare and to improve consumer safety by assisting in the reduction of medication errors.”
Help Prevent Suicide in Older Adults: Provides education on suicide risks, warning signs, and guidance for helping an older adult receive the attention and care they need.
SERVICES FOR OLDER ADULTS
SANTA CLARITA VALLEY
SCV SENIOR CENTER
Services include Adult Day Program, the only licensed adult day care program in the Santa Clarita Valley that specializes in the care and activities for adults with Alzheimer’s disease, other types of dementia, post-stroke, Parkinson’s or other conditions requiring assistance and supervision. Other services include Care Management; Caregiver Support; In-home Care; Senior Access; a package of services designed to aid and assist low to moderate-income populations age 50 and older who reside in the city of Santa Clarita, and who may be at risk of homelessness and or institutionalization; Telephone Reassurance provides daily phone contact (Monday – Friday) with homebound individuals who live alone; Elderly Nutrition Program; Health & Wellness Education & Clinics; and a Handyworker Program. Located at 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita. Call (661) 259-9444
COMFORT KEEPERS
Comfort Keepers provides award-winning in-home care for seniors and adults who need assistance at home. Comfort Keepers In-Home Care Services in Santa Clarita specializes in keeping seniors safe and independent in their own home, wherever that home may be. We've named our unique style of care Interactive Caregiving®, and it is built around the idea that meaningful interaction with seniors is key to helping them stay active and engaged.
Caregivers have one goal: enriching the lives of our clients and their families. We achieve this by maintaining their safety, well-being, and comfort as they continue to live independently. In-home care gives seniors freedom despite limited mobility, chronic conditions, and other age-related considerations.
We understand the struggle family members face when a loved one needs extra assistance in their home, and we’re here to help. Let our caregivers relieve this stress by providing professional home care services with a personal touch.
Call (661) 287-4200 to learn how our family can help your family navigate the process of aging and home care for an aging loved one in the Santa Clarita and North San Fernando Valleys.
GREATER LOS ANGELES
LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH OLDER ADULT SYSTEMS OF CARE
Links to agencies that provide mental health services including screening and assessment, case management services, individual and family treatment, and crisis intervention services. 1-800-854-7771
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AGING AND COMMUNITY SERVICES (WDACS)
This website contains descriptions of various programs available to help older adults and provides links to program providers. Older adults can learn how to access: Meals and nutrition programs; Support Services to promote and maintain independent living; Health Insurance Counseling; Legal Services Counseling and more.
Families can learn how to access ombudsman services, location services if a loved one goes missing, case management services, Adult Protective Services and more. Phone: (888) 211-0644. Phone for LA County Services: 211. Email: [email protected].
LOS ANGELES COUNTY ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES
Adult Protective Services (APS) is a social services program provided by state and/or local governments nationwide serving older adults who are 60 years and older and adults with disabilities who need assistance. APS workers investigate cases of abuse, neglect or exploitation, working closely with a wide variety of allied professionals such as physicians, nurses, paramedics, firefighters and law enforcement officers.
Elder Abuse Hotline Call 1-877-477-3646 or 211. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Long Term Care Related Reports Call 1-800-334-9473. Monday-Friday 8:30-5:30, or (800) 231-4024 after hours.
Non-emergency reports may be submitted online at the website below.
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF AGING
Administers programs that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout the State. These services are provided locally by the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), Medi-Cal Community Based Adult Services (CBAS) centers, or other contracted agencies. available to those over 60 years of age, regardless of income level.
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE LA
Mental health services include: individual and group counseling available in home, in community and via telehealth for to eligible individuals. Individuals with Medi-Cal, Medicare/Medi-Cal and low income and with no insurance are eligible. Individuals with a Medicare HMO are not eligible. Services are provided at 12821 Victory Boulevard North Hollywood, CA 91606. They are nonsectarian and available in English, Spanish, Russian, Farsi, and Korean.
A homeless prevention program is available to those residing in the Metro LA area and West LA area, age 55+ and is focused on those adults living with a hoarding disorder and/or at risk of becoming homeless as a result. In additional, JFSLA offers a Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP), which is a nonsectarian state-funded program that provides a community-based alternative to nursing home care for frail older adults. MSSP provides and purchases services for eligible clients and their families that enable clients to remain in their homes. Nurses and social workers coordinate complete plans of care, arrange and purchase services which assist clients to remain at home safely and independently.
ELDERCARE LOCATOR
A public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging connecting you to services for older adults and their families. Learn more about support services, housing, elder rights, insurance and benefits, health and transportation. The website offers guidance and helpful resources or call 1-800-677-1116.
MEALS ON WHEELS
Meals on Wheels is the only federally supported program designed specifically to meet the nutritional and social needs of seniors. Frequent in-home visits provide unique opportunities to meet nutritional needs, combat social isolation, address safety hazards and provide holistic care.
A PLACE FOR MOM
A Place for Mom helps seniors and their families find senior care and housing based on their unique needs and budget. It is the largest senior living referral service in cities across the U.S. and Canada. A Place for Mom provides referrals to senior living communities within a network and is paid by those senior living communities and care providers so our service is provided to consumers at no charge. The website contains articles to help elders and family caregivers. Call (866) 750-5930.
- Connecting families to senior living - https://www.aplaceformom.com/
RESOURCES FOR HEALTH LIVING
AARP (AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PEOPLE)
U.S. based interest group whose stated mission is “to empower people to choose how they live as they age.”
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON AGING
Empowering older adults to live healthier. Programs give older adults the knowledge and tools to prevent falls, manage chronic conditions and improve their lives.
AmeriCorps Seniors
Volunteers age 55+ use the skills and talents they’ve learned over the years and develop new ones while serving their communities through Senior Corps programs, through its Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion, and RSVP programs enriching the lives of the volunteers and benefiting their communities.
EngAGED (THE NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER FOR ENGAGING OLDER ADULTS)
Promotes and provides opportunities to improve the rates of social engagement in older adults because remaining socially engaged improves quality of life and is associated with better health.
RESOURCES FOR CAREGIVERS AND SENIOR FACILITIES
CAREGIVER ACTION NETWORK
Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic condition, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age. CAN serves a broad spectrum of family caregivers ranging from the parents of children with significant health needs, to the families and friends of wounded soldiers; from a young couple dealing with a diagnosis of MS, to adult children caring for parents with Alzheimer’s disease. CAN is a non-profit organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge. Caregiver Help Desk: (855) 227-3640
SENIORSMATTER.COM
SeniorsMatter.com is an online community dedicated through our virtual platforms to enhancing the knowledge, efficiency and effectiveness of senior caregivers by providing objective information, guidance, training and the latest developments in senior caregiving.
Article: Suicide Rates in the Elderly — Presents research, identifies possible causes, and recommendations for helping.
Resources for Senior Living Communities and Senior Centers
Information and articles regarding older adults and suicide including:
- PROMOTING EMOTIONAL HEALTH AND PREVENTING SUICIDE: A TOOLKIT FOR SENIOR CENTERS - https://www.sprc.org/resources-programs/promoting-emotional-health-and-preventing-suicide-toolkit-senior-centers
- PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE ACTIVE, REWARDING LIVES (PEARLS) -intervention for adults and older adults with a depression or dysthymia diagnosis, aims to reduce symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation and improve quality of life, delivered in six to eight 50-minute sessions by a trained health or social service professional (e.g., social worker, nurse, case manager) in the client's home or other community-based setting. Sessions are initially held weekly and become less frequent over a four- to five-month period. - https://www.sprc.org/resources-programs/program-encourage-active-rewarding-lives-pearls