Rural Connecticut hospital’s behavioral health unit, meals program support older adults’ well-being – American Hospital Association

Report on Sharon Hospital’s Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals through Geriatric Care Programs

Advancing SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Sharon Hospital’s initiatives for older adults in rural northwestern Connecticut make a direct contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The programs specifically address Target 3.4, which focuses on promoting mental health and well-being.

Senior Behavioral Health Unit

• The unit provides short-term inpatient psychiatric care for adults aged 55 and older, directly addressing the increased risk of depression in this demographic.
• It operates on the principle that mental health conditions are treatable and not a normal part of aging, aligning with public health guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• The primary objective is to stabilize patients and help them return to their best level of functioning, thereby promoting sustained well-being.

Scope of Services

1. Comprehensive Assessment: Services begin with a thorough evaluation to identify patient needs.
2. Symptom Management: The unit addresses a wide range of behavioral and mental health symptoms, including:
   • Suicidal thoughts, confusion, and memory changes
   • Inability to care for oneself and social isolation
   • Abrupt behavioral changes and substance misuse
   • Difficulty with impulse control, anger, and agitation
   • Significant changes in sleep or appetite
3. Family Support: Compassionate intervention and support are extended to both individuals and their families.

Addressing SDG 2: Zero Hunger and Promoting Nutrition

The hospital’s Senior Meals Program aligns with SDG 2, which seeks to end hunger, achieve food security, and improve nutrition. By providing access to affordable and healthy food, the program supports the physical and mental health of a vulnerable population.

Senior Meals Program

• In partnership with the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation, the program offers adults aged 65 and older access to nutritious breakfast and lunch meals at a significant discount.
• Regular “senior suppers” are hosted, combining a discounted meal with educational presentations on healthy aging from clinicians.
• This initiative directly contributes to improved health outcomes by reducing the risk of chronic diseases, enhancing energy levels, and improving mood through proper nutrition.

Supporting Interconnected SDGs for Community Resilience

Contributions to Social and Economic Goals

• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By focusing on older adults, the programs actively work to reduce age-related health inequalities and promote social inclusion within the community.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The hospital provides essential health and nutritional services that strengthen the social fabric and support system of a rural community.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The collaboration with the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation exemplifies an effective civil society partnership to achieve shared health and well-being objectives.

Analysis of SDGs in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  This goal is addressed through the Sharon Hospital’s Senior Meals Program, which aims to provide older adults with access to nutritious and affordable food. The article highlights that the program offers discounted breakfast and lunch, supporting the physical health of a vulnerable population group.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This is the primary SDG connected to the article. The text focuses extensively on the health challenges of older adults, particularly mental health issues like depression. The Senior Behavioral Health Unit directly provides services to improve mental well-being, while the Senior Meals Program supports both physical and mental health by ensuring access to proper nutrition, which can reduce the risk of chronic diseases and enhance mood.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food

   The Senior Meals Program directly contributes to this target by ensuring older adults (a vulnerable group) in rural Connecticut have access to “nutritious meals for breakfast and lunch, at a deep discount.” This initiative helps secure access to sufficient and healthy food for this demographic.

2. Target 3.4: Reduce mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health

   The article’s focus on the Senior Behavioral Health Unit, which treats depression, suicidal thoughts, and other behavioral health challenges, directly aligns with the promotion of mental health and well-being. Furthermore, the meals program supports this target by providing “healthy, well-balanced meals” that help in “reducing the risk of chronic diseases” (non-communicable diseases) and “enhancing mood.”

3. Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse

   The Senior Behavioral Health Unit explicitly addresses this target. The article states that the services offered include addressing “substance misuse,” which is a key component of this SDG target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several qualitative and quantitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Existence of specialized mental health services for older adults: The establishment of the “Senior Behavioral Health Unit at Sharon Hospital” for adults age 55 or older serves as a direct indicator of available services for promoting mental health (Target 3.4).
• Range of mental health and substance abuse issues treated: The article lists specific symptoms and issues addressed, such as “suicidal thoughts, confusion, memory changes… substance misuse, anger, irritability, agitation.” This list acts as an indicator of the comprehensiveness of the mental health and substance abuse treatment services provided (Targets 3.4 and 3.5).
• Implementation of nutrition programs for vulnerable populations: The existence of the “Senior Meals Program” for adults age 65 or older is an indicator of actions taken to ensure food access (Target 2.1).
• Affordability of nutritious food: The mention of meals being offered at a “deep discount” is an indicator of efforts to overcome economic barriers to food access for older adults.
• Community health education and promotion activities: The hospital hosting “senior suppers” where attendees “hear presentations on healthy aging from hospital clinicians” is an indicator of health promotion and prevention efforts within the community (Target 3.4).

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators Table

Source: aha.org