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Healthy IDEAS

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

The Healthy IDEAS (Identifying Depression, Empowering Activities for Seniors) program integrates depression awareness and management into existing case management services provided to older adults. Healthy IDEAS uses evidence-based practice to identify and address depression symptoms in those most at risk of being unrecognized and under-treated for depression. Program components include (1) screening for symptoms of depression & assessment of severity of symptoms; (2) educating older adults and primary caregivers; (3) referral, linkage and follow-up to primary care and mental health service providers; and (4) behavioral activation intervention. Healthy IDEAS brings together community service providers, the mental/behavioral health community, and healthcare practitioners to provide a low-cost, practical way for addressing depression among older people.

Goal / Mission

The goal of Healthy IDEAS is to detect and address depression through effective, evidence-based screening and health promotion education.

Impact

Studies show that after 6 months in the Healthy IDEAS program, significantly more of the participants knew how to get help for depression (93% versus 68%), reported that increasing activity helped them feel better (89% versus 72%), and reported reduced pain (45% versus 16%) than at the beginning.

Results / Accomplishments

In a study evaluating the Healthy IDEAS program, researchers found that the intervention was effective in detecting and reducing depressive symptoms. The study's key outcome measures included general health status, social and physical activation, and mental health services. Measurements were taken at baseline and at 6 months. Mean Geriatric Depression Scale—15 scores differed significantly between baseline and 6 months (9.0 versus 5.5). At 6 months, significantly more participants knew how to get help for depression (68% versus 93%), reported that increasing activity helped them feel better (72% versus 89%), and reported reduced pain (16% versus 45 %).

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Care for Elders
Primary Contact
https://healthyideasprograms.org/
Topics
Health / Older Adults
Health / Mental Health & Mental Disorders
Organization(s)
Care for Elders
Date of publication
2007
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
Houston, TX
For more details
https://healthyideasprograms.org/
http://jag.sagepub.com/content/26/2/139.abstract
Target Audience
Older Adults

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An Evidence-Based Practice meets the following HCI criteria:

  1. The program description includes at a minimum: the sponsoring organization, program goals, program implementation steps, and outcomes that have demonstrated program success in achieving the program goal in one or more localities.
  2. The results from an evaluation of the program include quantitative measures showing improvement in the outcome(s) of interest after the implementation of the program (i.e. increase in smoking cessation, not just the delivery of a smoking cessation program). The outcome measure(s) is/are compared at relevant time periods before and after the intervention or program implementation. Alternatively, the evaluation study compares the outcome(s) between an intervention group and an appropriate control group.
  3. The study is of peer-review quality and presents numbers in a scientific manner; measurements of precision and reliability are included (e.g. confidence intervals, standard errors), results from statistical tests show a significant difference or change in the outcome measure(s), and relevant point estimates and p-values are presented. Note: if the results from an evaluation of a program are presented in a scientific manner and the outcome measure is improved compared to the baseline measurement or the control group but the difference is not statistically significant, the practice is classified as effective and not evidence-based.
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