CMHC's and elderly services: an analysis of direct and indirect services and service delivery sites.

This study identified significant sources of variability in the utilization of CMHC services by the elderly. Program and staff specialization were examined as they critically influenced the rate of service utilization as well as the types of services made available. Data from a 1984 national survey of CMHC's were analyzed and statistically significant differences were found in overall utilization, types and amounts of direct and indirect services, and number and types of separate service delivery sites. These results suggest that variability in services utilization may be attributable to programmatic differences between CMHC's and may constitute a significant aspect of services designed to address the special needs of the elderly.