Acceptability of a lay-delivered intervention for depression in senior centers

Abstract

Objective

We examined: 1. depression rates among senior center clients; and 2. the acceptability of a lay-delivered intervention for depression (“Do More, Feel Better”) from the perspective of key stakeholders prior to its implementation.

Method

We conducted cross-sectional surveys at four Seattle-area senior centers of 140 clients, 124 volunteers, and 12 administrators and staff. Client measures included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) to determine depression severity, and items assessing depression treatment preferences. Following description of “Do More, Feel Better” as a lay-delivered intervention focused on increasing participation in rewarding activities, we used quantitative and qualitative items to assess acceptability to: 1. clients participating in; 2. volunteers administering; and 3. administrators and staff supporting the intervention.

Results

25% of senior center clients (35/140) endorsed elevated depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 10). 81% of clients (114/140) reported that they would consider participating in “Do More, Feel Better,” and 59% percent of volunteers (73/123) expressed interest in learning how to assist others using the intervention. Administrators and staff reported high comfort levels with proposed volunteer training procedures, and they identified funding and staffing considerations as challenges to sustaining the intervention.

Conclusion

Findings indicate high depression rates among senior center clients and support the acceptability of lay-delivered behavioral interventions for depression from a variety of stakeholders. Further investigation of the feasibility, effectiveness, and implementation of “Do More, Feel Better” is warranted, particularly in the context of a lack of health care professionals available to meet the mental health needs of older adults.

Keywords:

• Depression
• behavioral activation
• lay-health workers
• aging service settings

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Data availability

The data generated during and/or analyzed in this study are available from [email protected] on reasonable request or may be accessed via Synapse, and open access data repository, https://www.synapse.org/#. !Synapse:syn18919146/files/(Raue, 2019).

Additional information

Funding

National Institute of Mental Health R34 MH111849. Clinical Trials Number: NCT03371771