Mental Health & Aging
Healthy IDEAS (Identifying Depression, Empowering Activities for Seniors) was developed by Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. This model focuses on adults with chronic health conditions and functional limitations through existing case management or community-based counseling services. Case managers have regular contacts with clients and can provide systematic identification of depression through on-going assessment and screening. This model also educates clients about symptoms and how to ask for help or talk to their health care providers. In addition, the model empowers clients through behavioral activation, assesses client progress and makes referrals to other providers as necessary. Case managers encourage small, manageable steps to ensure successful changes.
Data collection and outcome reporting are building the capacity to eventually convince payers that these programs deter premature placement in costly long-term care facilities for a very minimal cost.
www.careforelders.org/healthyideas
www.cdc.gov/aging and www.chronicdisease.org
The good news is there are effective depression treatments available such as psychotherapy and medications. Research indicates that up to 80 % of adults treated for depression have improvement in coping skills, and better mood management.
Below is a success story that was reported by a case manager from our agency:
“Healthy IDEAS was a great starting point for my client to take back control of her life. Her life started to become strained, including relationships. She reached out to her case manager for help to manage these “uncontrollable” things in her life. Upon a visit and administering of the GDS scale for the Healthy IDEAS program, it was very noticeable that she had an increase in depressive symptoms. She had received counseling in the past but her symptoms were managed at that time with medications. There was much hesitation to get back involved with counseling, making excuses with transportation, time, and not feeling it would be effective. However, with the direction of Healthy IDEAS interventions, a person needs to identify a goal that can help change their current course of thoughts toward activities. With this vital step, she realized that counseling was the best way for her. With help through the application process, she was able to get set up with weekly therapy sessions. After 3 months of following her goal of attending sessions, a vast improvement was seen in her demeanor. There has been an energy about her and an eagerness for life and taking charge of matters. She still battles physical impairments and limitations but this no longer occupies her thoughts. She has taken over activities in her life, feeling more motivated to try and clean her home, going out to meet new people, as well as preparing for yet another life change, a move. She is optimistic about it and has the foundation now to make this a positive and successful time in her life.”
IF YOU ARE IN CRISIS AND NEED HELP RIGHT AWAY:
Call this toll-free number, available 24 hours a day, every day: (800) 273-TALK (8255). You will reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a service available to anyone. You may call for yourself or for someone you care about. All calls are confidential.
The University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center have developed a depression care model called PEARLS (Program to Encourage Active Rewarding Lives for Seniors). This model addresses minor depression and dysthymia (chronic low mood) and aims to improve overall quality of life and coping skills for those with chronic illnesses. In addition, it is designed to restore overall functional and emotional well-being through learning problem-solving skills, social and physical activation, and pleasant events scheduling. Patients can choose to participate in one or all three behavioral activation approaches. These approaches help individuals re-establish healthy routines, increase positive experiences and overcome avoidance patterns. A key component within this model is that it has psychiatric supervision to ensure medication and treatment options are managed. The model is widely recognized as an effective intervention.
PEARLS – is an evidence-based program that focuses on three main components:
- Problem-Solving
- Increasing Social and Physical Activities
- Pleasant Events Scheduling
Depression Care Group participants (based on the PEARLS model vignettes) have shared these comments regarding their successes upon completion of the program:
“I am taking a walk in the morning verses watching TV or a passive activity”.
“I now recognize that being in a rut is not good for my well-being”.
“I am taking an optimistic view to approach issues”.
“I am helping others who have been helping me- driving them to appointments or calling”.
“ I am reducing clutter or something I don’t use or need”.
“I’m more self-assured”.
“I am working to make my life more manageable”.
“I’m getting up one hour earlier- I’m getting more done and feeling better”.
“This program has helped me get busy and motivated”.
If you want more information regarding enrolling in a group, please contact Senior Outreach Counseling Program at (515) 558-9953.
