Elder Services            

Launched in 1978 as a partnership between the mental health and aging communities, SMH's Elder Services serves as a “Focal Access Point” for services/resources that promote independence and enhanced quality of life for older adults, especially at-risk, isolated elders. Elder Services provides seamless, cost effective, and consumer oriented services that include in-home interdisciplinary clinical case management and psychiatric/medication management; telephone information/assistance; caregiver support/respite care; volunteer escort special transportation; and specialized case management.

Elder Services is internationally recognized for its "Gatekeeper" model. We have been honored for Gatekeepers with five national awards including the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and Ford Foundation’s “Innovations in State and Local Government Award” and Hospital and Community Psychiatry’s “Achievement Award”. In June 2002/04, Elder Services was recognized as a model program at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s “Suicide Prevention” conferences. Spokane Mental Health's Elder Services is also recognized as a “Best Practice” model for services to home dwelling at-risk elders.

Through collaborations with local universities, Elder Services offers on-site training opportunities for Masters in Social Work students, and College of Pharmacy Candidates, as well as excellent volunteer opportunities.