The Senior Outreach and Engagement Program is intended to serve at-risk older adults (age 55 and older). The goals of the program are to assist older adults to remain in their community and to improve their quality of life, by stabilizing mental health symptoms and assessing for and reducing substance misuse.

Senior outreach services include:

• identification of at-risk seniors
• engagement
• assessment
• case management
• education
• support
• counseling (including in-home counseling)
• referrals to senior service networks and referrals for treatment.

The program philosophy is to provide the services in a person-centered, strengths-based, culturally sensitive manner. The program complements existing DMHAS programs that focus on diverting older adults from long-term care and developing home and community based services to assist older adults with “aging in place.”

The Senior Outreach and Engagement Program is designed to accept referrals and inquiries from concerned neighbors and family members as well as from community and hospital providers.  Self-referrals are also encouraged.  When a concerned neighbor or family member calls, they will be asked if they prefer to remain anonymous.  If that is the case, when program staff contact the senior citizen that has been identified, they will say that we were contacted by someone in the community who is concerned about them.

To access services or make a referral:

If you have someone you are concerned about or want more information, please contact United Services at 860-774-2020 or 860-456-2261 and ask to speak with staff from the Senior Outreach and Engagement Program.

Case Manager: Lisa Knight

Funding for this program is provided by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.