Activity ID
IA_BMH_15Activity Weighting
HighSubcategory Name
Behavioral and Mental Health
Activity Description
Complete age-appropriate screening for mental health and substance use in older adults, as well as screening and referral to treatment and/or referral to appropriate social services, and document this in patient care plans.
Objective
Improve outcomes by providing appropriate mental health and substance abuse screening for older adults.
Suggested Documentation
Evidence of documented screening for mental/behavioral health and substance abuse for older adults with evidence of treatment and/or referral to appropriate social services established in the care plan. Include the following elements:
1. Identification of older adult population with mental/ behavioral health and substance use concerns – Report from the electronic health record (EHR), qualified clinical data registry (QCDR), clinical registry, or other system demonstrating tracking of older adults with behavioral/mental health and or substance abuse; AND
2. Evidence of behavioral/mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) screening - Report from EHR, QCDR, clinical registry, or documentation from medical record chart showing regular practice for screening for behavioral/mental health and substance use disorder; AND
3. Evidence of appropriate treatment and/ or referral documented in care plan – Report from HER, QCDR, clinical registry, or documentation from a medical chart showing appropriate treatment and/ or referrals for behavioral/mental health concerns and substance use disorder.
Examples of screening tools:
- Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
- Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7)
Example/Information
- National Academies of Science Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Opportunities for the Health Care System
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Psychosocial Interventions for Older Adults with Serious Mental Illness
- American Physiatric Association Substance-Related Disorder in Older Adults.