Innovative Mental Health Initiatives to Address Barriers and Improve the Lives of Diverse Elders
The pandemic crisis has highlighted the inequity of service provision for vulnerable older adults. Mental health needs have become even more apparent, and this has led to new opportunities. This presentation will highlight innovative models in the delivery of virtual mental health services to those victims of elder abuse and crime and those older adults most impacted by COVID-19 who have been living in the hardest hit and most underserved communities within NYC. These successful models can be replicated in other communities who work with diverse older adult populations.
Dr. Tobi Abramson, PhD
Director, Geriatric Mental Health
NYC Department for the Aging
Dr. Abramson, a licensed psychologist, works to improve the mental health of older adults. She has extensively trained professionals and the lay public on mental health topics as well as educating undergraduate and graduate students. Professionally, she has served on boards of directors at the local, state, and national levels.
Dr. Jackie Berman, PhD
Senior Director, Research
New York City Department for the Aging
| Dr. Berman has worked in the field of gerontology for three decades. As Senior Director of Research at the New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA), Dr. Berman has overseen a range of research and demonstration projects. She has authored numerous articles on aging and has presented at national and international conferences throughout the years. Dr. Berman has developed numerous mental health programs throughout her time at DFTA. Dr. Berman, was involved in piloting, PRoviding Options To Elderly Clients Together (PROTECT), the first evidence based mental health treatment tailored specifically for depressed elder abuse victims. This program has now been expanded citywide. She has developed the first evidence-based health and wellness program for older adults to embed game play, with group facilitated discussion, and homework. Dr. Berman helped to design DFTA’s geriatric mental health program, embedding mental health services in DFTA funded senior centers. Dr. Berman is co-author of the book, Depressed Older Adults Education and Screening. Finally, Dr. Berman was the Co-Co-Principal Investigator for the Elder Abuse Prevalence Study in New York State (the first of its kind in the United States). |
Ann Kayrish (Moderator)
Senior Program Manager for Medicare
National Council on Aging
Ann is the Senior Program Manager, for Medicare at NCOA where she helps local, state and regional organizations develop and implement strategies to find, counsel and assist Medicare beneficiaries apply and enroll in benefits for which they may be eligible.
Over the past 25 years Ann has had the opportunity to work in many parts of the health care industry including managed care, patient assistance programs, and provider and sales force relations. Prior to joining NCOA, Ann managed the operations for the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) in Montgomery County, Maryland helping the most vulnerable populations gain access to the health care benefits and services.
Ann received her B.S. in Health Care Management from Kings College in Wilke-Barre, PA and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN.
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