Growing Use of Mental and General Health Care Services Among Older Veterans With Mental Illness

Objective:National data from Veterans Health Administration (VHA) electronic medical records were used to examine rates of mental illness and service use among older veterans since mental health care transformation efforts were implemented in 2005.Methods:Data were extracted from VHA electronic medical records for each fiscal year from 2005 through 2013 for veterans ages 65 and older. Among those receiving any health care services, the number and proportion treated for a confirmed mental illness and the utilization of non–mental health care services were identified.Results:In 2013, 2.6 million older veterans utilized services in VHA, 14% of whom had a confirmed mental illness, which was a 57% increase from 2005. Older veterans with confirmed mental illness accounted for a sizable and growing proportion of non–mental health service utilization.Conclusions:Preparing the workforce to address the mental health needs of older veterans and nonveterans is essential.