Frank Baskin chairs the Behavioral Health Work Group. A social worker for more than five decades, Frank has worked directly with older adults, their families, and providers in nursing homes, other congregate facilities and within the community. He has been a line social worker and an independent geriatric care manager and has collaborated with many attorneys on behalf of marginalized older adults. Frank has leadership positions on the Nursing Home Committee for Mass Chapter NASW, and the Older Adult Behavioral Health Network (formerly Mass Aging and Mental Health Coalition – MAMHC.
Throughout his career, Frank’s advocacy efforts have focused primarily on older adults, including elder behavioral health. He has trained scores of social workers, organized conferences, and advocated on behalf of older adults with behavioral health issues through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and now, with Dignity Alliance. He has worked on the maintenance and increase of the Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) and Leave of Absence (also known as “Bed Hold”) for nursing home residents and has coordinated efforts to establish behavioral health services for older adults within the Commonwealth.
Currently, Frank is involved in efforts to reduce the misuse of psychotropic medications for nursing home residents. He received a B.S. from Temple University and his MSW from the University of Michigan. He resides in Lowell, Massachusetts.
Contact: baskinfrank19@gmail.com