News

Uplift, a no-cost behavioral health program serving Butler County older adults for nearly 20 years, is expanding this summer to support individuals and families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. A partnership of Council on Aging (COA), the Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Services Board (MHARS) and Best Point Education and Behavioral Health, Uplift helps residents age 55 and older address depression, anxiety, trauma and grief.

Since 2007, thousands of Butler County older adults have participated in the program. Older adults are often underserved by traditional behavioral health systems while also having a higher risk for depression and anxiety for a variety of reasons, including chronic health conditions, financial issues, caregiver stress and loneliness.

According to Emily Bolen, program manager of community-based services at Best Point Education and Behavioral Health, Uplift works better for older adults because it focuses on “here and now” issues many may be experiencing.

“Rather than digging up the past, we focus on ‘What is your problem today and how do we help you solve it?’” Bolen said. “Then we move toward helping participants apply new skills to other areas of their lives.”

Uplift participants receive up to eight in-home therapy sessions over five to six months, building problem-solving skills and reconnecting with activities that bring joy and a sense of accomplishment.

Uplift is making a measurable difference. Participants see an average 6.8-point drop in depression scores—better than the 5-point average achieved by traditional behavioral health programs.

Program expands to fill unmet need

Uplift’s success led Council on Aging, MHARS and Best Point to consider how the program could meet another urgent need: support for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, and for the families caring for them.

A 2024 demographic study conducted by the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University found approximately 7,100 individuals age 65 and older in Butler County are already living with ADRD, with most residing in the community (not in a nursing home or other institution).

Because traditional Uplift is short term and focused on present-day problem-solving, it is not designed for the changing needs that come with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The Uplift Memory Support Program will offer coordinated dementia care, caregiver support, care navigation and respite, helping people with ADRD stay at home longer and avoid hospitalizations.

During a six-month pilot that started July 1, COA will identify participants by working with discharge planners at area hospitals. Participants will work with dementia care specialists at COA and Best Point to better understand the diagnosis, connect with services and caregiver supports, plan for future needs, and find ways to stay safe, independent and connected.

“Working with our hospital partners is a natural place to start this program,” said Shelby Stout, director of business operations at Council on Aging. “It will help us identify families facing a new diagnosis and who can benefit from connecting with resources and support early in their journey. And, it will give hospitals a new referral source for families facing these challenges.”

The pilot will measure whether participants improve in three areas: access to resources and support, confidence in managing the diagnosis and caregiver well-being.

“Our goal is to make sure participants and their families are aware of resources and supports available in community,” Stout said. “We want to help them overcome roadblocks that might be preventing them from accessing support and make sure they are prepared as the disease progresses.”

For Best Point’s Bolen, this work is personal. “My grandmother had dementia and I know firsthand how hard Alzheimer’s can be on caregivers – and on the family system as a whole,” she shared. “A program like this would have been so impactful for my family.”

The traditional Uplift program is open to new referrals and enrollments.

• To make a referral to the traditional Uplift program for yourself or someone you know (must be a Butler County resident age 55 or older) visit www.bestpoint.org (Make a Referral tab), email [email protected], or call (513) 896-7887.
• For older adults who need assistance to remain independent at home, visit www.help4seniors.org to learn more about Butler County ESP or other in-home care programs and resources for older adults in southwestern Ohio. Or, call (513) 721-1025, Option 2.