scholarly journals Certified Older Adult Peer Support Specialists' Use of Technology to Support Older Adults in the Community

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 128-129
Author(s):  
Karen Fortuna
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Serious Mental Illness ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Middle Aged

Abstract Middle-aged and older adults with mental health conditions have a high likelihood of experiencing comorbid physical health conditions, premature nursing home admissions, and early death compared with the general population of middle-aged and older adults. An emerging workforce of certified older adult peer support specialists aged 50 years or above is one of the fastest growing mental health workforces and may be a suitable community-based workforce to simultaneously support the mental health, physical health, and aging needs of middle-aged and older adults with a serious mental illness. Older adult peer support specialists are people with a lived experience of aging into middle age and older adulthood with a mental health condition. This presentation will present three single-arm pilot studies examining how certified older adult peer support specialists’ incorporate technology, including text messaging, ecological momentary assessments, and smartphone applications into practice and clinical outcomes among older adults with serious mental illness.

scholarly journals Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis and Self-Reported Physical Health Function Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults With Serious Mental Illness

2019 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica M. Brooks ◽  
Emre Umucu ◽  
Jennifer Sánchez ◽  
Carol Seehusen ◽  
Karen L. Fortuna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Serious Mental Illness ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Health Function

scholarly journals PREDICTORS OF HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AND RECOVERY AMONG OLDER ADULTS WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S877-S877
Author(s):  
Anjana Muralidharan ◽  
Clayton H Brown ◽  
Richard W Goldberg
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Serious Mental Illness ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Older adults with serious mental illness (i.e., schizophrenia spectrum disorders and affective psychoses) exhibit marked impairments across medical, cognitive, and psychiatric domains. The present study examined predictors of health-related quality-of-life and mental health recovery in this population. Participants (N=211) were ages 50 and older with a chart diagnosis of serious mental illness and a co-occurring medical condition, engaged in outpatient mental health services at a study site. Participants completed a battery of assessments including subtests from the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS), the 24-Item Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale (BASIS-24), the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), and the Maryland Assessment of Recovery Scale (MARS). Multiple linear regression analyses, with age, race, gender, and BMI as covariates, examined number of current medical conditions, RBANS, and BASIS as predictors of quality-of-life and recovery. Significant predictors of physical health-related quality-of-life (R-squared=.298, F(9,182)=8.57, p<.0001) were number of medical conditions (β=-1.70, p<.0001), BASIS-Depression/Functioning (β=-4.84, p<.0001), and BASIS-Psychosis (β=2.39, p<.0008). Significant predictors of mental health-related quality-of-life (R-squared=.575, F(9,182)=27.37, p<.0001) were RBANS (β=0.03, p=.05), BASIS-Depression/Functioning (β=-6.49, p<.0001), BASIS-Relationships (β=-3.17, p<.0001), and BASIS-Psychosis (β=-1.30, p=.03). Significant predictors of MARS (R-squared=.434, F(9,183)=15.56, p<.0001) were BASIS-Depression/Functioning (β=-4.68, p=.002) and BASIS-Relationships (β=-9.44, p<.0001). To promote holistic recovery among older adults with serious mental illness, integrated interventions are required. For example, to improve physical health-related quality-of-life, one should target depression and psychotic symptoms as well as medical illness burden. To improve mental health-related quality-of-life, depression symptoms and interpersonal functioning may be key targets, as well as neurocognitive function.

scholarly journals Older Adult Peer Support Specialists’ Age-Related Contributions to Self-Management Through Text Message Exchanges: A Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mbita Mbao ◽  
Karen Fortuna
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Peer Specialists

BACKGROUND Older adults with mental health conditions experience co-morbid physical health conditions, premature nursing home admissions, and an earlier mortality compared to the general population of older adults. Older adult peer support specialists are increasingly using technology to deliver peer support services related to addressing both mental health and physical health needs of older adults. OBJECTIVE This qualitative study examined older adult peer support specialists’ age-related contributions to peer-supported integrated medical and psychiatric self-management through text message exchanges METHODS Older adult peer specialists exchanged text messages with service users as part of a 12-week peer-supported smartphone intervention. Text message exchanges between older adult peer specialists (N=3) and people with serious mental illness were examined (N=8) with a mean age of 68.8 years (SD=4.9). A total of 356 text messages were sent between the older adult peer specialist and people with serious mental illness. Older adult peer specialists sent text messages to older participants' smartphones between from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and weekends RESULTS Five themes emerged including (1) using technology to simultaneously manage mental health and physical health issues; (2) realizing new capabilities in late life; (3) sharing their roles as parents and grandparents; (4) wisdom; and (5) sharing lived experience of normal age-related changes (emerging). CONCLUSIONS The collaborative non-directive approach by the older adult peer specialists offered key experiential contributions that are important to successfully aging with a mental health condition. Promising evidence suggests older adult peer support specialists may be helpful in addressing age-related mental health and physical health needs of older adults in the community.

scholarly journals Digital Peer Support Mental Health Interventions for People With a Lived Experience of a Serious Mental Illness: Systematic Review (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen L Fortuna ◽  
John A Naslund ◽  
Jessica M LaCroix ◽  
Cynthia L Bianco ◽  
Jessica M Brooks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Serious Mental Illness ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Inclusion Criteria

BACKGROUND Peer support is recognized globally as an essential recovery service for people with mental health conditions. With the influx of digital mental health services changing the way mental health care is delivered, peer supporters are increasingly using technology to deliver peer support. In light of these technological advances, there is a need to review and synthesize the emergent evidence for peer-supported digital health interventions for adults with mental health conditions. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to identify and review the evidence of digital peer support interventions for people with a lived experience of a serious mental illness. METHODS This systematic review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) procedures. The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles published between 1946 and December 2018 that examined digital peer support interventions for people with a lived experience of a serious mental illness. Additional articles were found by searching the reference lists from the 27 articles that met the inclusion criteria and a Google Scholar search in June 2019. Participants, interventions, comparisons, outcomes, and study design (PICOS) criteria were used to assess study eligibility. Two authors independently screened titles and abstracts, and reviewed all full-text articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Discrepancies were discussed and resolved. All included studies were assessed for methodological quality using the Methodological Quality Rating Scale. RESULTS Thirty studies (11 randomized controlled trials, 2 quasiexperimental, 15 pre-post designs, and 2 qualitative studies) were included that reported on 24 interventions. Most of the studies demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of peer-to-peer networks, peer-delivered interventions supported with technology, and asynchronous and synchronous technologies. CONCLUSIONS Digital peer support interventions appear to be feasible and acceptable, with strong potential for clinical effectiveness. However, the field is in the early stages of development and requires well-powered efficacy and clinical effectiveness trials. CLINICALTRIAL PROSPERO CRD42020139037; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID= 139037

scholarly journals Barriers and Facilitators for Older Adults with Serious Mental Illness to Utilizing Medicaid Smartphone Services

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 862-862
Author(s):  
Amanda Myers ◽  
Karen Fortuna
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Serious Mental Illness ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Peer Specialists

Abstract As increasingly more older adults in the general population utilize smartphones to access health services, the digital divide between older adults with serious mental illness (SMI) and the general older adult population continues to widen. The purpose of this study was to examine older adult peer support specialists’ and older people with SMI’s perspectives of barriers and facilitators to utilizing Medicaid Safelink smartphone services. Data from two focus groups and five semi-structured interviews from older adult peer support specialists (N=10) and older adults with SMI (N=15) were analyzed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Science Research. A mixed methods convergent design integrated quantitative with qualitative data. Older adults with SMI (N= 15) had a mean age of 55 years and were mainly women (70%) and White (100%). Certified peer specialists (N= 10) had a mean age of 52 years (age range 45-67) and were mainly female (75%), 66% identified as White, and 33% identified as African American. Four themes that were identified across different aspects of barriers included technology knowledge, technology adoption, design features (i.e., smartphone size, option to increase font sizes, multi-modal capacity, navigational architecture, 508 compliance), and Safelink policies and procedures. Facilitators included free and continuous services, access to technical support, and smartphone capabilities to enable healthcare communications and facilitate the delivery of services. Improving upon the themes identified as barriers to utilizing Safelink may promote a continuum of care for older adults with SMI, closing the gap of services that occurs between in-person therapy and other interventions.

scholarly journals Digital Peer Support Mental Health Interventions for People With a Lived Experience of a Serious Mental Illness: Systematic Review

10.2196/16460 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. e16460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen L Fortuna ◽  
John A Naslund ◽  
Jessica M LaCroix ◽  
Cynthia L Bianco ◽  
Jessica M Brooks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Serious Mental Illness ◽  
Methodological Quality ◽  
Clinical Effectiveness ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Inclusion Criteria

Background Peer support is recognized globally as an essential recovery service for people with mental health conditions. With the influx of digital mental health services changing the way mental health care is delivered, peer supporters are increasingly using technology to deliver peer support. In light of these technological advances, there is a need to review and synthesize the emergent evidence for peer-supported digital health interventions for adults with mental health conditions. Objective The aim of this study was to identify and review the evidence of digital peer support interventions for people with a lived experience of a serious mental illness. Methods This systematic review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) procedures. The PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles published between 1946 and December 2018 that examined digital peer support interventions for people with a lived experience of a serious mental illness. Additional articles were found by searching the reference lists from the 27 articles that met the inclusion criteria and a Google Scholar search in June 2019. Participants, interventions, comparisons, outcomes, and study design (PICOS) criteria were used to assess study eligibility. Two authors independently screened titles and abstracts, and reviewed all full-text articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Discrepancies were discussed and resolved. All included studies were assessed for methodological quality using the Methodological Quality Rating Scale. Results Thirty studies (11 randomized controlled trials, 2 quasiexperimental, 15 pre-post designs, and 2 qualitative studies) were included that reported on 24 interventions. Most of the studies demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of peer-to-peer networks, peer-delivered interventions supported with technology, and asynchronous and synchronous technologies. Conclusions Digital peer support interventions appear to be feasible and acceptable, with strong potential for clinical effectiveness. However, the field is in the early stages of development and requires well-powered efficacy and clinical effectiveness trials. Trial Registration PROSPERO CRD42020139037; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID= 139037

Monitoring the physical health of individuals with serious mental illness

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 108-115
Author(s):  
Majella Cahill ◽  
Anne Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Serious Mental Illness ◽  
Health Monitoring ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Psychiatric Service ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Effective Models

AbstractDeveloping effective models of identifying and managing physical ill health amongst mental health service users has become an increasing concern for psychiatric service providers. This article sets out the general professional and Irish statutory obligations to provide physical health monitoring services for individuals with serious mental illness. Review and summary statements are provided in relation to the currently available guidelines on physical health monitoring.

scholarly journals Loneliness and its association with physical health conditions and psychiatric hospitalizations in people with serious mental illness

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 571-585
Author(s):  
Karen L. Fortuna ◽  
Eugene Brusilovskiy ◽  
Gretchen Snethen ◽  
Jessica M. Brooks ◽  
Greg Townley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Serious Mental Illness ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Psychiatric Hospitalizations
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