Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative
What We Offer
Training
The Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative offers a variety of educational modules to support community agencies in meeting the unique needs of this growing population. Click on the links below to view a list of available training modules with descriptions.
Questions about trainings? Contact us through our OABHI Training Interest Form
Complex Case Consultation & Our Interdisciplinary Team
If you are working with someone with unmet, complex care needs, consult with a team with specialized training in older adult care.
To request a consultation, please complete the form linked here.
Older adults have unique behavioral health needs that may be difficult to meet in community settings, particularly with limited access in rural areas. Providers are often asked to provide more specialized geriatric services without adequate resources or supports.
If you are working with someone with unmet, complex care needs, consult with a team with specialized training in older adult care.
Consultation includes:
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Support from GOBHI’s Older Adult Behavioral Health team
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Review of current status and previous interventions, and applicable evidence based practices
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Assistance in identifying and accessing additional resources that may be available
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Advocacy and follow-up
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A written consultation summary provided to the referral sources and care team
Do you know an older or disabled adult living in rural Oregon who is lonely or isolated?
Now there is help! The Senior Peer Outreach service connects people who are isolated in their homes through weekly telephone contact using Intentional Peer Support (IPS). Peer values of self-determination, respect, connection, understanding worldview, mutuality and moving forward will guide our interactions.
If you, or someone you know, are concerned that your health and well-being might be declining because of loneliness and/or isolation, please visit the Community Counseling Solutions Oregon Senior Peer Outreach page to find out how to get help.
About GOBHI’s Older Adult Behavioral Health Specialists
The state is investing in senior behavioral health to better meet the needs of older adults and people with disabilities by improving access to care, and by making sure that providers work together to provide coordinated, high-quality physical and behavioral health care.
The goal is improved quality of life for older adults. And over time, through sharing and adoption of best practices, the cost of care will actually be reduced.
This investment will place 25 professionals who specialize in behavioral health for older adults in local and regional community mental health programs. Their role will be to improve the ability of each community’s behavioral health system to provide the type of services older adults need. They will work closely with local aging services staff as well as primary care providers and hospitals.
The role of these older adult behavioral health specialists:
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Make sure older adults receive the appropriate help at the right time and at the right level
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Remove barriers to care, identify things that need improvement and get people and programs working together
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Provide training, coaching and technical assistance that will improve each community’s ability to address the behavioral health needs of older and disabled adults
GOBHI currently holds three of the twenty five positions, covering seventeen counties across rural Oregon.
Contact
Jacque Serrano, LCSW, CADC l (she/her)
Mental Health Programs Administrator
Phone: 971-361-9780
Email: jserrano@gobhi.org
Rod Harwood (he/him)
Older Adult Behavioral Health Coordinator, QMHP-C
Counties: Baker, Grant, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Union, Umatilla, Wallowa
Phone: 541-293-1755
Email: rharwood@gobhi.org
Roni Hyde (she/her, they/them)
Older Adult Behavioral Health Coordinator
Counties: Gilliam, Harney, Hood River, Sherman, Wasco, Wheeler
Phone: 541-705-4870
Email: rhyde@gobhi.org
Older Adult Behavioral Health Resources
Useful Websites
ADRC of Oregon
When you are looking for information about services to address aging or disability needs, the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) of Oregon can help you learn about local public and privately paid options. The ADRC has trained professional staff who can help you and your family with immediate needs, or help you plan for the future.
Adult Abuse Prevention and Investigations
Adult abuse is the abuse of any older adult aged 65 and over and adults with developmental or physical disabilities or mental illness under the age of 65. Abuse can happen in a person’s own home or the home of family or friends. It can also occur in a professional care setting such as a nursing facility, a residential care facility, an assisted living facility, an adult foster home, a retirement home or a room and board home.
Alzheimer’s Association, Oregon Chapter
The Oregon Chapter is one of over 70 Alzheimer’s Association chapters serving communities across the United States.
Brain Injury Alliance of Oregon
The mission of the Brain Injury Alliance of Oregon is to create a better future through brain injury prevention, advocacy, education, research, and support.
DHS Aging and People with Disabilities
The Department of Human Services, Aging and People with Disabilities office locations throughout Oregon.
Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living
Eastern Oregon Center for Independent Living (EOCIL), a center for independent living, is a cross-disability global disability resource and advocacy center that promotes independent living and equal access for all persons with disabilities.
Guardianship in Oregon
If a person becomes incapable of making decisions on their own about their medical treatment or everyday life, and their health or safety may be in danger, they may need someone to assist them.
HealthinAging.org
Overseen by a team of experts on caring for older adults, HealthinAging.org content is based on resources that the American Geriatrics Society has developed for its professional members.
Mental and Behavioral Health and Older Americans
Fact sheet compiled by the American Psychological Association.
National Council on Aging
A respected national leader and trusted partner to help people aged 60+ meet the challenges of aging. Partners with nonprofit organizations, government, and business to provide innovative community programs and services, online help, and advocacy.
Neurology Now
Neurology Now is an award-winning magazine for neurology patients and their caregivers. It is a free public service of the American Academy of Neurology. Visit the site to register for a free subscription.
Oregon Care Partners
Oregon Care Partners helps caregivers improve the lives and care of aging Oregonians by providing access to no-cost, high-quality trainings in all corners of the state. Oregon Care Partners’ Caregiver Training Initiative offers no-cost, in-person and online training on various topics.
Oregon Gerontological Association
The OGA statewide network enables service providers, researchers, students and other individuals to share knowledge, address challenging issues, and maximize opportunities for our aging population.
Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon
Parkinson’s Resources of Oregon provides support and resources for people living with Parkinson’s disease, their families, and caregivers living in Oregon and SW Washington.
Portland State University, Institute on Aging
Portland State University, Institute on Aging partners with Oregon’s Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative to provide technical assistance, educational content, and capacity building materials. Visit this page to view these resources.
State Independent Living Council
The State Independent Living Council (SILC) is a Governor appointed body, offering people with disabilities control over the design of Oregon’s Independent Living program services. The program promotes a philosophy in American society of inclusion of people with disabilities as independent and productive participants.