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County health official says geriatric behavioral‑health clinics cut arrests and hospital visits
Summary
Riverside County officials told the Palm Desert City Council that a two‑track geriatric behavioral‑health program serving roughly 560 older adults across three desert clinics has produced sharp reductions in arrests and psychiatric hospitalizations, and staff urged coordination to connect clients with medical care and benefits.
Tony Ortega, an administrator with Riverside University Health System, told the Palm Desert City Council on March 12 that the county’s mature‑adult behavioral‑health program operates three desert clinics (Banning, Desert Hot Springs and Indio) and uses a two‑track model to serve people age 60 and older.
"We have approximately 560 consumers among the three clinics for older adults ages 60 and above," Ortega said, describing a wellness-and-recovery track and a more intensive full‑service partnership track that provides weekly case management and help with housing and medical linkages.
The program offers psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, case managers and peer specialists, Ortega said, and works to connect clients without primary care to physicians and public benefits. "If they have no primary care plan, we will sign them up for benefits," he said.
Council members highlighted statistics staff reported. Council member Quintanilla noted what he described as a "96 percent decrease in arrests" and an "86 percent reduction in psychiatric hospitalizations, specifically 76 percent decrease in ER visits," remarks Ortega affirmed as consistent with the program's outcomes.
Ortega said the service model seeks to prevent homelessness, incarceration and hospitalization by addressing behavioral‑health needs alongside medical care and social determinants. He introduced clinic supervisors and peer specialists who provide in‑community care and said staff would remain in Palm Desert after the presentation to answer questions.
The presentation did not include a request for local funding; council members thanked the team and praised the reported outcomes. The council did not take action at the meeting; Ortega and his colleagues will continue coordinating with local providers and the city as requested.
