Along with our partners, we hosted several webinars and conversations about addressing isolation and depression for older adults using the Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives® (PEARLS®). People can come to as few or as many events as they wanted. During these online events, participants heard from organizations who were doing the work. Together, we learned and aimed to expand access to mental health care for older adults, regardless of their race, ethnicity, language, income, or location.
The ultimate goal was and continues to be to provide equitable access to depression care.
View the event recordings and presentations below.
Event Recordings, PowerPoints, & Resources
Select the event title below to view the recording, as well as the PowerPoint presentation, if the event has already happened. There might be additional resources related to specific event topics.
Addressing Isolation & Depression for Older Adults
During this webinar we discussed what organizations have learned about addressing isolation and depression for older adults, even during COVID-19. As many people know, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reduced older adults’ access to the services they need, as well as vital connections with family and friends. Participants heard directly from program staff about how their organizations were responding to the mental health needs of older adults.
Is PEARLS® the Right Fit for My Organization?
We discussed how you can better understand if PEARLS® is the right fit for your organization based on your experience with evidence-based practices, available staff and funding, and capacity to collaborate in tailoring PEARLS® for your community. PEARLS® is designed to be flexible and adaptable to the unique needs and perspectives of individuals and communities, so we also discussed what can be changed to better fit your resources and needs. Participants also heard directly from program staff about how their organizations are responding to the mental health needs of older adults using PEARLS®.
Getting Buy In from Higher-Ups to Adopt PEARLS®
We went over key information to share with higher-ups about PEARLS®, such as staffing models, delivery options, client outcomes, success stories, and program evidence and recognition. PEARLS® is an evidence-based program designed to be flexible and adaptable to the unique needs and perspectives of individuals and communities, so we also provided examples of how organizations like yours have received buy in from their higher-ups.
Depression Care for Communities of Color
Every community has its own needs, and PEARLS® is designed to be flexible for diverse communities to support older adults who are experiencing depression symptoms (no clinical diagnosis is needed). We discussed real-world situations and obstacles organizations face when it comes to providing depression care in their communities.
Options for Staffing PEARLS®
We discussed roles and responsibilities, connecting with clinical supervision outside your organization, and training. We went over integrating PEARLS® into your existing services and different staffing models, from full-time to part-time PEARLS® staff. PEARLS® is designed to be flexible and adaptable to the unique needs and perspectives of individuals and communities, so we also provided examples of how organizations like yours have changed the program to better fit their resources and needs.
PEARLS® Funding Partnerships
We provided a brief overview of PEARLS® and discuss the pros and cons of different funding options, as well as the value of partnerships beyond funding. We also discussed how of partnerships can happen, including hearing from staff at organizations that currently offer or fund PEARLS®.
Tailoring PEARLS During COVID-19 and Beyond
We discussed ways to adapt PEARLS® for your community, while keeping what makes PEARLS® effective (this is referred to as program fidelity). PEARLS adaptations include changes for delivering PEARLS® remotely (by phone or video conferencing) during COVID, as well as being flexible and adaptable to the unique needs and perspectives of individuals and communities.
Contact Us
If you have questions about these events, our surveys, and/or PEARLS®, email contact us.
Email: equity-study@uw.edu