community advocates for senior empowerment (c.a.s.e.) program

community advocates for senior empowerment (C.a.S.E.) Program

The C.A.S.E. Program is based on the Healthy IDEAS (Identifying Depression, Empowering Activities for Seniors) Program.  It is an evidence-based program that integrates depression awareness and management into existing case management services provided to older adults.

This program addresses depression in older adults.  Depression can negatively affect older adults’ quality of life and ability to function. The C.A.S.E. Program ensures that older adults get the help they need to manage symptoms of depression and live full lives.

COMPONETS OF THE PROGRAM

The program improves quality of life by:

• Screening for symptoms of depression and assessing their severity
• Educating older adults and caregivers about depression
• Linking older adults to primary care and mental health providers
• Empowering older adults to manage their depression through a behavioral activation approach that encourages involvement in meaningful activities

• Duration: Based on the needs of the client, it can vary from a few weeks to six months.

Currently, this program is only being provided in Montgomery County PA-US District 4.

The Healthy IDEAS program, recognized as a top-tier evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention initiative under Title III-D, earned a Science and Service Award for Mental Health Promotion from SAMHSA.