Senior living operator partners with behavioral health provider to remove barriers to mental healthcare for residents

A Texas-based senior living provider is expanding access to mental healthcare for its residents through a partnership providing on-site and virtual therapy services.

Civitas Senior Living is partnering with San Antonio-based behavioral health provider Deer Oaks to bring psychiatric medication management, counseling, quarterly treatment plan reviews and psychotherapy appointments directly to residents at six communities — Arabella of Red Oak, Ariel Pointe of Sachse, Cambridge Court, Legacy Oaks of Midlothian, Midtowne and Long Creek.

Deer Oaks specializes in behavioral healthcare for older adults and has worked with more than 1,500 senior living communities in 31 states since 1992. Its team includes psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, psychiatrists trained in geriatrics, and nurse practitioners.

“This is about removing barriers,” Civitas Vice President of Marketing Matt Holder said in a statement. “There’s no travel, no waitlists and no added stress — just immediate access to professional support in the comfort of home.”

Civitas said that its mission to help residents live full, engaging lives includes supporting their mental health with access to specialized psychiatric services.

“It’s hard to find mental health specialists who really understand older adults and offer all the services our residents need, like medication management and therapy,” Civitas Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Nicky Brown told McKnight’s Senior Living. He added that arranging transportation for residents with mobility or memory issues was stressful, and getting regular appointments could take months. “Our partnership with Deer Oaks takes away these obstacles.”

The behavioral health services are covered by residents’ health insurance, ensuring that cost isn’t a barrier to accessing quality mental healthcare. 

A ‘thoughtful, measured’ approach

Piloting the program with the six Texas communities will allow Civitas to take a “thoughtful and measured approach,” Brown said, adding that the arrangement will allow the operator to work closely with Deer Oaks to refine the delivery of services while the corporate team provides hands-on support during the initial implementation. 

Brown likened the phased approach to lessons the company learned from developing its signature Passion Program, which focuses on activities and experiences propelled by attentive caregivers, wellness and food. Expanding specialized services, he said, requires careful planning and adaptation to each community’s unique needs.

“It also lets us optimize the integration of Deer Oaks’ on-site and virtual therapy options with our existing care protocols and daily community life, ensuring seamless service delivery before expanding to other markets,” he said, adding that the company plans to adopt the program across the entire Civitas portfolio. “This expansion reflects our mission to improve the senior living industry through innovative partnerships and comprehensive care.”

The program launched a few weeks ago, but Brown said that resident response has been overwhelmingly positive because their routines are not disrupted and the program’s flexibility allows them to choose the format that best suits their needs and preferences.