Skip to main content

CDC COMMUNITY GUIDE: Interventions to Reduce Depression Among Older Adults: Home-Based Depression Care Management

CDC

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

Home-based depression care management involves:
• Active screening for depression
• Measurement-based outcomes
• Trained depression care managers
• Case management
• Patient education, and a
• Supervising psychiatrist

An older adult is defined as 60 years of age or older, and depression outcomes include response rates (50% reduction in depression scores), remission (no longer meeting diagnostic criteria), and changes in depression scale scores.

The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends depression care management at home for older adults with depression on the basis of strong evidence of effectiveness in improving short-term depression outcomes.

Results / Accomplishments

Results of the Systematic Reviews:
For the three studies reporting response and remission rates, there was a 27-43% response rate in depression and a 36% remission rate.

The evidence may be applicable to communities in the United States and elsewhere, including diverse home settings (public housing, residential facilities, home care clients) and participants ranging in age, health status, gender race/ethnicity, education level, and living alone status.

One study of a program with 19-weeks of home visits for Problem Solving Therapy, follow-up phone calls with the psychiatrist, quality control of psychotherapy by trainer, and depression management team sessions reported cost data. The total mean cost per patient for this program was $630. This data does not factor in any cost savings from the intervention, such as reductions in health care utilization.

About this Promising Practice

Primary Contact
The Community Guide
1600 Clifton Rd, NE
MS E69
Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 498-1827
communityguide@cdc.gov
https://www.thecommunityguide.org/
Topics
Health / Mental Health & Mental Disorders
Health / Older Adults
Source
Community Guide Branch Epidemiology and Analysis Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Location
USA
For more details
Target Audience
Older Adults
Greater Hampton Roads