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Geriatric Adult Mental Health Specialty Teams |
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Therapeutic Alternatives, Inc. contracts with
Local Management Entities (LMEs) to provide
services in the following counties:
Team I:
Alamance-Caswell/Rockingham
Team II: Sandhills
Randolph, Anson, Hoke, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Lee, and Harnett Counties
Team III: Five County/OPC/Durham
Vance, Granville, Franklin, Warren, Orange, Person, Chatham, Durham and Halifax Counties
Team V: Southeastern
Brunswick, New hanover, Pender, Onslow, and Carteret
Team VI: The Beacon Center
Edgecombe, Nash, Wilson, and Greene Counties
Team VII: Centerpoint
Forsyth, Stokes, and Davie Counties
 The North Carolina Division of Mental Health recognized the need to “increase the ability of older adults with mental illness to live successfully in the community” and authorized the development of twenty Geriatric and Adult Specialty Teams state-wide.
Because of our extensive experience with people who are elderly and have mental illness and developmental disabilities, Therapeutic Alternatives, Inc. contracted with several Local Management Entities (LMEs) in July 2003 to provide GAST services. This has enhanced and strengthened our relationships with LMEs and North Carolina’s state-funded psychiatric hospitals.
Each of the teams minimally consists of a Registered Nurse and a Qualified Mental Health Professional. Therapeutic Alternatives has seven GASTs in 41 counties in western,central and eastern North Carolina.
Project GoalsTherapeutic Alternatives, Inc. GAST professionals have developed over 50 different training modules to address different aspects of the care related to mental health gerontology. The teams continuously travel throughout North Carolina and provide education regarding the symptoms and effective management of mental illness.
 The main objective of the teams is to provide education, training, and technical assistance for supervisors and direct care staff of adult care/ assisted living facilities, family care homes, and skilled nursing homes. The training equips staff in these homes to recognize the symptoms and understand effective management of mental illness, thereby enabling them to provide greater stability and an improved quality of life to older adults with mental illness.
The trainings provided by GAST staff are free of charge to facilities and community agencies. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are provided. These CEUs assist staff in receiving required continuing education needed to maintain their certification or licensure in their field of expertise.
Below are samples of training topics provided by GAST staff:
Bipolar Disorder
Schizophrenia
Depression
Personality Disorders
Symptoms of Mental Illness
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
Strengths-Focused Approaches
Psychotropic Medication Management
Alternatives to Restraints
If you are a facility administrator looking for more education for your staff, a caregiver in need of more support and education, or a community group that wants to know more about mental illness we are here to talk with you. Please call us.
Need more information?
Contact Jerra Roberts at 336. 495.2700.
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