Senior Psychology Services, one of the largest group providers of mental health care for the elderly in the U.S., announced that as of March 15, the company's name has changed to VeriCare. VeriCare is a multi-state mental health services organization, specializing in the care of older adults residing in nursing homes and residential facilities. Because its services now reach beyond psychology, and in some cases, beyond seniors, the change to VeriCare more accurately reflects the evolving scope of services they offer.

Although the company began providing services in San Diego, California, it quickly grew to other cities and states. VeriCare is now one of the largest groups of its kind in the country, with more than 1,000 contracts with nursing homes in eight states and over 300 professional staff, including psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers and advanced practice nurses. For over a decade the company has been committed to enhancing the quality of life for older adults and their families. VeriCares' positive, national reputation was built upon this commitment and dedication. Only the name VeriCare is new. The company's identity, values, and purpose remain unchanged.

Surviving ten years in this industry is a tribute to the persistence of the company, faced with many barriers to service delivery and occasional medical reviews of services, not uncommon for any healthcare provider working within the Medicare system. "Because we are steadfast in our devotion to ethical practice and quality care, we have risen above the challenges of Medicare reviews, managed care, and mergers and acquisitions in the LTC industry," says company President and co-founder, Dr. Joseph M. Casciani. "By successfully negotiating these challenges, we have become a stronger company, surviving many others in the field."

The specialty work that VeriCare does is relatively new within the healthcare arena. The company’s mental health practices deliver an array of services, including individual, family and group psychotherapy, training classes for nursing home staff, and specialized programs for patients undergoing short-term rehabilitation and for residents who are in the early to middle stages of dementing illnesses. These specialized programs, tailored to the individual needs of the residents, have distinguished SPS, now VeriCare, from other groups of its kind. The company's emphasis is to respond to patients' needs through responsible and cost-effective mental and behavioral health treatment, with the desired outcomes of improved quality of life, the highest possible functional ability and decreased overall healthcare expenditures.

The evidence from numerous research investigations has revealed that a majority of nursing home residents exhibit symptoms that meet the criteria for a psychiatric diagnosis, yet fewer than 5% of these residents receive mental health services. And, with the steady increase in the size of the 65-and-over population, the demand for these services can be expected to continue.