A community treatment intervention advancing active treatment in the elderly (ACTIVATE): a pilot study.
A growing population of older adults receive treatment for depression but remain symptomatic. We report on a feasibility pilot study of an intervention (ACTIVATE) to improve depression care by encouraging the older person to take a step to intensify the existing treatment. Older adults (N = 43) receiving home-meal service and in depression treatment, but still symptomatic, participated in the ACTIVATE intervention. Assessments were conducted to evaluate change in treatment. Many (66.6%) participants took a step to change their treatment; the rate (88.2%) was higher among individuals with major depression. ACTIVATE may be a useful social work intervention to improve depression care.
Weill Cornell Institute of Geriatric Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, White Plains, NY 10605, USA. jsirey@med.cornell.edu
Jo Anne
JA
Sirey
Charles P
CP
Hannon
Debra
D
D'Angelo
Katherine
K
Knies
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011594:Psychometrics; D012947:Social Work; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires