220028 Addressing unmet needs of the elderly with depression

Monday, November 8, 2010

Steven Szydlowski, DHA, MBA, MHA , Health Administration and Human Resources, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA
Daniel West Jr., PhD , Health Administration and Human Resources, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA
The Healthy Northeast Pennsylvania Initiative (HNPI), a community-based health consortium, implemented an education program to better service senior citizens in isolation and dealing with depression. HNPI partnered with the Advocacy Alliance and the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to establish training programs. Program staff developed training materials, a resource list/guide for distribution, coordinated and conducted all gatekeeper and public awareness campaign trainings. Psychologists and/or clinical social workers were used as necessary. Program researchers tracked outcomes and impact as well as the number of persons trained for both the Gatekeeper and Public Awareness Campaign Trainings. The purpose of the Gatekeeper Training was to train professionals and volunteers about recognizing signs of depression and social isolation in older adults. The training includes a component that explains the process of making a referral to AAA. Target audiences included senior high-rise staff, personal care home staff, senior citizen center staff, meals on wheels, Telespond adult day care, serving seniors, voluntary action center staff and volunteers, clergy and others such as postal workers, hairdressers, and delivery workers. The purpose of the public awareness campaign training was to inform the public about the gatekeeper training information, social isolation and how to make a referral/self-referral to AAA. Target audiences included senior citizen center members, senior clubs, church groups for older adults, and the general public. The presenters will explain the materials used in the program, next steps for advancing the research study, and the implications for public health policy.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Chronic disease management and prevention
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
Describe a 12-month study to address gaps in service for elderly citizens with depression in Northeastern Pennsylvania; Explain the professional gatekeeper training model used to improve direct elder care providers identify signs of depression and resources available; Assess the impact the pilot study had on increased utilization of social and recreational services for elderly with depression; Evaluate the impact public awareness sessions on depression had on citizens residing in senior housing communities; Demonstrate the effectiveness a community-collaborative model has on improving quality of life for the elderly with depression.

Keywords: Depression, Elderly

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I oversee mental health prevention and wellness initiatives.
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
Healthy Northeast PA Initiative Mental Health Consultant

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.