Workforce Barriers and Needed Supports to Enhance Behavioral Health Service Provision for Older Adults in Nebraska

Nearly 20% of US older adults have mental health concerns, but few mental health professionals specialize in this population. In Nebraska, where almost 17% of Nebraska’s population is >65 years of age, BHECN conducted a survey to understand provider attitudes about and abilities to serve the state’s older population. Results from this online survey of licensed mental health practitioners in 2022 showed that 61% of responding practitioners were rural, 27% did not provide direct clinical services to older adults, and only 18% of their time was spent working with older adults. Barriers to providing care to older adults included Medicare and insurance restrictions, limited referrals, and limited specialized training opportunities. To improve care for older adults, participants indicated a need for expanded telehealth infrastructure and specialized training. Results support ongoing efforts to further develop statewide research and training in aging and mental health, as well as policy change to support the geriatric behavioral health workforce.