Chestnut Health Systems is the lead agency in a collaboration with Community Counseling Center and the Southwestern Illinois Visiting Nurse Association to improve mental health services for senior citizens. The program is available for any Madison County resident age 60 or older, and there is no cost for nursing assessments or services provided by a social worker or case manager/aging specialist. The following services may be accessed through the Senior Mental Health Outreach Program:

• Help with independent living assessments for in-home supportive services;
• Supportive counseling to help with grief and loss issues, stress, and depression;
• Linkage with services funded by the Illinois Department on Aging;
• Assistance with money management, bills, and debtors;
• Nursing visits to help with medication issues;
• Doctor and specialist home visits for approved persons in need.

The primary purpose of the program is to enable senior citizens to achieve safe and meaningful independent living. Specialized geropsychiatric evaluation and consultation are available. The program is supported in part by a grant from the Madison County Community Mental Health Board.