Mental Health Services

Behavioral and Mental Health Services for Older Adults

Behavioral Health Referral Center
The Behavioral Health Referral Center, which is supported by and housed at the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA), serves older adults in West and South Philadelphia. Family members, neighbors, clergy and professionals may also call on behalf of a senior citizen. Access specialists will screen for needs, develop a referral plan and help connect older adults with services to help them cope with a wide range of problems including depression, anxiety, isolation, fear, poor sleep, alcohol and substance abuse, regardless of their income levels.
The Behavioral Health Alliance is a collaboration between PCA; Aetna; Independence Blue Cross; the City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Any senior citizen in West or South Philadelphia can call the Referral Center at 215-282-6404 to reach an access specialist.

Outreach & Assessment
Comhar, an outreach and treatment center in North Philadelphia, offers services especially designed for adults above the age of sixty who have a mental health disorder but are unwilling to attend traditional treatment programs due to stigma. The goal is to provide services to the elderly in non-threatening environments such as the home, doctor’s office or senior center and to avert the need for costly hospitalizations. The program also provides caregiver education to families and physicians. Services are provided in English and Spanish. Comhar is located at 100 West Lehigh Avenue in Philadelphia.

For more information, call:
215-203-3027

Outpatient Counseling
The Geriatric Counseling Service, coordinated by Interac, and developed by PCA and the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, provides counseling and group therapy services through participating senior community centers. Medicare coverage may help cover the cost of services; however there is no financial eligibility requirement and no out of pocket fee. This service is available at the following senior community centers:

In-home Services for Seniors
The Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania maintains a list of agencies providing behavioral health care to homebound older adults. 
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Inpatient Geropsychiatric Treatment Centers
Inpatient hospital units exclusively for senior patients provide older adults with an enhanced sense of security and shield them from the situations that can arise on a general psychiatric unit. Philadelphia maintains six of these specialized treatment centers.
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Memory Disorders Assessment Centers
Seven Philadelphia centers provide diagnosis and treatment for older adults experiencing memory problems. Other services include information and referral, caregiver training and support groups.
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Additional Resources
The Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania maintains an online resource guide for older adults. It contains information on signs and symptoms of behavioral health disorders, where to go for help in crisis and non-crisis situations and more.
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