Geriatric and Adult Specialty Teams

The North Carolina Division of Mental Health recognized the need to "increase the ability of older adults with mental illess to live successfully in the community" and authorized the development of twenty Geriatric and Adult Specialty Teams(GAST) state-wide.

Because of their extensive experience with people who are elderly and have mental illness and developmental disabilities, ECBH contracted with Therapeutic Alternatives, Inc. in July 2003 to provide GAST services.  The ECBH team consists of five professionals, 2 Registered Nurses, 2 Master-prepared Clinicians and a Qualified Professional.  All have experience in psychiatric care of the adult and elderly.

Project Goals:  Therapeutic 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 teams to not provide direct services to the persons residing at the different facilities or in a home such as counseling, case management, or therapy.)  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.  GAST can help the facility to prepare for the individual being discharged from the psychiatric hospital.  GAST staff also speak to some community agencies to educate friends and family caregivers regarding psychiatric care.

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:

If you are a facility administrator looking for more information for your staff, a caregiver in need of more support and education, or a community group that wants to know more about mental illness, please contact:

Linda Klund, RN, BSN, Team Leader at 252-447-7539 or

Go to www.mytahome.com and click on the Services tab, then click on Geriatric Specialty Teams