Assessing older adult behavioral health diagnoses in Oregon by geographical area, physical disability status, and age
Aging & mental health
Aging Ment Health. 2025 Jun 6:1-9. doi: 10.1080/13607863.2025.2511219. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This repeated cross-sectional study aims to assess potential differences among behavioral health (BH) diagnoses for older adults. Differences in services across urban versus rural/remote areas may contribute to deeply entrenched barriers to improved BH for this population.
METHOD: Data were collected through complex care consultation reports (N = 5,123) between 2017-2021 as part of a multi-year evaluation of the Oregon Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative, a statewide program addressing gaps in services for older adults and people with physical disabilities with behavioral health needs. Analyses of consumer BH diagnoses (N = 2,772) by urban and rural/remote area, physical disability status, and age were conducted.
RESULTS: Urban consumers were more likely to receive a formal diagnosis of any BH condition compared to their rural/remote counterparts. While results appear to suggest rurality may be associated with decreased identification of a BH diagnosis, findings also appear to indicate that once received, diagnoses such as suicidality and hoarding may be more severe among older adults residing in rural and remote areas.
CONCLUSION: Results offer important insights for addressing the BH needs of older adults, particularly those residing in rural/remote regions. Policy change is warranted to mitigate the multiple, complex barriers to appropriate BH care of older, rural/remote adults.
