This study, conducted by Samuelsson, Sundström, Dehlin, and Hagberg, examines the long-term use of formal support services among older adults with mental disorders in a 25-year follow-up cohort. The cohort, consisting of 192 individuals born in 1902 and 1903 in Southern Sweden, was assessed at age 67 and then on eight additional occasions until they were 92 years old. The study found that 53% of individuals with dementia received both home help and institutional care, compared to 34% of those with other psychiatric diagnoses and 12% of those with good mental health. However, 35% of the dementia group, 46% of those with other psychiatric diagnoses, and 52% of those with good mental health did not receive any formal support. Males and self-employed individuals were less likely to use formal support, and the institutionalized group reported higher levels of loneliness. Logistic regression analysis identified loneliness, low social class, high blood pressure, and low problem-solving ability as predictors of formal support use. The study highlights the importance of social factors in predicting formal support and suggests that care and services for the elderly with mental disorders should be highly individualized.This study, conducted by Samuelsson, Sundström, Dehlin, and Hagberg, examines the long-term use of formal support services among older adults with mental disorders in a 25-year follow-up cohort. The cohort, consisting of 192 individuals born in 1902 and 1903 in Southern Sweden, was assessed at age 67 and then on eight additional occasions until they were 92 years old. The study found that 53% of individuals with dementia received both home help and institutional care, compared to 34% of those with other psychiatric diagnoses and 12% of those with good mental health. However, 35% of the dementia group, 46% of those with other psychiatric diagnoses, and 52% of those with good mental health did not receive any formal support. Males and self-employed individuals were less likely to use formal support, and the institutionalized group reported higher levels of loneliness. Logistic regression analysis identified loneliness, low social class, high blood pressure, and low problem-solving ability as predictors of formal support use. The study highlights the importance of social factors in predicting formal support and suggests that care and services for the elderly with mental disorders should be highly individualized.