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Acting Commissioner Kristin M. Woodlock, RN, MPA
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

South Oaks Hospital
Geriatric Demonstration Grant: Physical Health - Mental Health Integration

The Long Island Home (LIH) is a not-for-profit entity located in Amityville, New York, which has provided a variety of healthcare services to the community for over 125 years. The LIH operates South Oaks Hospital (SOH) and Broadlawn Manor, a 320 bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility. LIH is the lead agency for the grant, and has partnered with the Township of Southold, Eastern Long Island Hospital and the Mental Health Association in Suffolk County. These organizations are the coordinating group for this initiative.

The Geriatric Mental Health Integration project is designed to integrate physical and mental health practitioners through education, co-location of staff, mobile mental health services, and participation in an innovatively designed healthcare consortium, the HISS (Health Issues and Services for Seniors). The overall goals for the project include, but are not limited to:

  • Increasing the integration of physical and mental health systems;
  • Improving access to mental health services on the North Fork of Long Island by co-locating mental health staff;
  • Building provider awareness and capacity to provide mental health services;
  • Training healthcare staff to recognize symptoms of mental disorders; and,
  • Decreasing hospitalization and long-term care placement.

Specific activities associated with those stated goals currently include:

  • Co-location and screening of all patients over 65 within the East End Geriatric and Adult Medicine practice in the town of Southold. Patients complete a depression screening scale (PHQ-9), which is reviewed by the Primary Care Physician (PCP) to determine whether the patient may benefit from additional assessment. Patients can then be directly referred to the Mental Health Practitioner (MHP) who completes the assessment and makes recommendations for treatment follow up and/or linkage to other services. Further assessment can take place in the PCP Office, patient’s home or other location convenient to the patient.
  • Co-location at the Town of Southold Human Resource Center. The MHP is on site weekly to provide screening and/or assessment of the local senior population.
  • Identification of the need for in-home counseling services has led to the development of a resource list of private practitioners who will provide home based services.
  • Educating individuals, families, caregivers, and the local healthcare community about mental health issues via the regularly scheduled support group, Senior Wellness Series, and HISS committee meetings.
  • Co-location of the MHP at Eastern Long Island Hospital as a resource for information, referral, screening and assessment, linkage, and follow up.

Since its implementation in 3/08 through 12/11:

  • The project conducted 2,707 mental health screenings, 301 assessments, and over 600 follow up visits.
  • Data analysis indicated that there was a significant reduction in depressive symptoms for those individuals who received follow-up treatment as a result of being identified through the screening and assessment process.
  • The Eastern Long Island Geriatric Center for Excellence Leaving OMH site webpage provides information on health, events and educational articles.
  • The Wellness Series/Support Group has offered 25 topics with over 600 attendees.
  • Additional community needs were identified and groups put into place for caregiver support and cancer support.
  • Direct access to free screening, assessment, linkage, and follow up was made available and promoted via a hospital based brochure and marketing ads.
  • Extensive outreach to community organizations and families/caregivers: 33 mailings, 80 events, 77 presentations, and over 250 meetings with community agencies, organizations, service providers and practitioners.

In addition to these concrete results, here is a link to two case examples that illustrate the positive impact this program has had in the community.

Contact Information:

  • Robert E. Detor, President & CEO
    The Long Island Home
    400 Sunrise Highway
    Amityville, NY 11701

  • Kristie Golden, Grant Coordinator: Director of Grants, Research and Vocational Services
    The Long Island Home
    400 Sunrise Highway
    Amityville, NY 11701
    Telephone: (631) 608-5044

  • Juliet Frodella, Project Director and Mental Health Practitioner
    201 Manor Place
    Greenport, NY 11944
    Telephone: (631) 477-5425

Website Links of Key Partners:

Comments or questions about the information on this page can be directed to the Bureau of Program and Policy Development/Division of Adult Services.