Healthy IDEAS
The Wellness & Caregiver Center of Ventura County (Center) is very pleased to provide the Healthy IDEAS evidence-based, depression recognition program, in partnership with Baylor College of Medicine. Healthy IDEAS stands for Identifying Depression, Empowering Activities for Seniors.
Care management staff at the Center is trained by Baylor College of Medicine to identify depression in at-risk elders, and to facilitate access to treatment. Healthy IDEAS is a structured depression program that targets underserved, chronically ill, older adults in the community and addresses commonly recognized barriers to mental health care including:
- detecting depression
- helping clients understand depression as treatable
- assisting them to gain knowledge and skills to self-manage
- linking primary care, mental health care and social-service providers for a custom care plan
Healthy IDEAS brings together community service providers, mental and behavioral health providers, and healthcare practitioners to provide a low-cost, practical way of addressing depression among older people.
How it Works
The program is delivered as part of routine case management services over a 3-6 month period through face-to-face visits in the client’s home and telephone contacts. Typically, the program involves at least three face-to-face visits and at least three telephone contacts. Clients with more severe depression symptoms may require more contacts or attention beyond an initial intervention period.
Healthy IDEAS 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.
Award-winning!
Healthy IDEAS is a national model with measurable results and demonstrated benefits for older adults, service providers, and community mental and behavioral health practitioners. The U.S. Administration on Aging has designated Healthy IDEAS as an evidence-based program and recommends it for nationwide replication. Healthy IDEAS has also received a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Science to Service Implementation Award in the mental health category.
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