The authors argue that there is a clear link between mental and physical health issues. A wellness-based approach to integrated health care, such as the one described in this article, may allow older clients to be empowered to make lifestyle changes that can improve the quality of their lives and reduce physical illness.
Older adults progress through numerous transitions and changes that may require medical and mental health assistance. This segment of the population has the highest rate of suicide and yet are often less likely to seek services from any type of mental health provider than younger adults (Miller, 2005). Treatment for mental health conditions in older adults is compounded by the fact that these individuals may have numerous chronic medical conditions and take a higher number of medications, whose side effects may cause psychological symptoms. Older adults use more medications than any other age group and purchase 40% of prescription medications and 35% of over-the-counter medications in the United States (Correade-Araujo, Miller, Banthin, & Trinh, 2005). Medical care has become expensive for Americans. Medical care has become expensive for all Americans and, rather than a house, will be their biggest purchase. Sixty percent of all federal social spending is spent on older adults. This amount is three times more than what taxpayers spend on children. Health care expenses have increased drastically in the past 40 years; these expenses are currently 2.5 times higher than the inflation rate, accounting for 15% of the gross domestic product (Lamm & Blank, 2005).
Given the increased spending on health care and other programs for older adults, there is a need to find ways to reduce costs. An integrated wellness-based health care system could assist older adults in living healthier lives, perhaps with a reduced use of medication. Older adults are at high risk for disability and major illnesses (Reicherter & Greene, 2005). Because of the link between physical and mental health, there is a clear need for integrated health care, but the current system has failed to effectively integrate the two systems (Bartels, 2004). Older adults have a higher rate of hospitalization than younger individuals and account