Nuestros Abuelitos: A program of La Clinica del Pueblo & EOFULA

Conference held at Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment on October 6, 2004

New Directions in Geriatric Behavioral Health: Serving Older Persons of Different Cultures The Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Jessica B. Moore, Slides used during presentation

Program Objectives

• Increase the amount, quality and accessibility of mental health services available to Latino adults ages 65 yrs and older
• Collaborate to create an integrated model of care for Latino elders residing in the DC metropolitan area

La Clinica del Pueblo

• La Clinica is one of the few bilingual, culturally competent, free community health clinics in the Washington DC area.
• Services provided:
  • primary care
  • mental health & substance abuse
  • HIV/AIDS testing and counseling
  • interpreter services
  • social services
  • health education and outreach

Educational Organization for United Latin Americans (EOFULA)

• EOFULA has served the Latino elderly population since 1974 by providing a support system and making community resources available to them
• Services provided:
  • case management
  • Health promotion
  • Lunch program
  • Transportation
  • Recreational activities
  • Leadership development and advocacy

Program Description

• Collaboration between La Clinica and EOFULA to provide FREE mental health services to Latino elderly and their families
• Results from the Needs Assessment indicated:
  • Cultural barriers
  • Social isolation
  • Intergenerational conflicts
  • Transportation

Who do we serve?

• 154 Latino seniors
• 51% are from El Salvador
• Mostly women 83%
• Average age is 75 yrs
• Difficult cultural backgrounds

SERVICES WE PROVIDE:

• Individual Counseling
• Psychiatric Evaluation and Treatment
• Mental Health Education/ "charlas" (informal talks), Health Fairs
• Support Groups (curriculum developed for 12 sessions)
• Case Management/ Social Services
• Homevisits/ Geriatric Assessments

WHO IS OUR STAFF?

All are fully bilingual and bicultural professionals

• Program Coordinator
• Two Directors
• Two MH Counselors
• Social Worker
• Psychiatrist
• Support Staff

Things that work with Latino elders

• Use of participatory methods to educate
• Connection to the group is essential
• Incentives and Giveaways
• Health Fairs/Outreach Activities
• Health Promotion Model

Challenges

• Age of the population
• Socioeconomic status
• Low educational levels
• Lack of health insurance
• Myths about mental health

• "los psicologos son para los locos y yo no estoy loco" (counselors are for crazy people and I'm not crazy)
• "yo no necesito eso" (I don't need that)
• "no me gusta porque hay que confesarse"(I don't like because it's like I have to confess)

Lessons Learned

• Need for fully bilingual, bicultural professionals who are dynamic, highly sensitive and knowledgeable on aging issues and Latinos
• Understanding Latinos means understanding the particularities of the subgroups within this community
• Outreach efforts need to be more vigorous
• Need for flexible schedules

CONTACT INFORMATION
Jessica B. Moore
2831 15th Street NW
Washington DC 20009
Tel: (202) 462-4788 ext 295
E-mail: jmoore@lcdp.org

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