Mental Health Wellness Program for Older Adults

Background: Geriatric depression is a widespread issue that is often underrecognized and undertreated. Lifestyle wellness programs have been implemented in various fields to help prevent and manage chronic diseases including depression.

Local Problem: A local senior center has a robust older adult population and offers daily recreational activities. However, the senior center currently lacks a dedicated mental health wellness program for its attendees.

Methods: This quality improvement project was conducted in a senior center, guided by the knowledge to action framework model. The implementation of a mental health wellness program in the recreational center included several components: depression screening using the Geriatric Depression Scale 15 (GDS-15), mental health education, and an eight-week physical activity program. Surveys were administered at the end of the project period to gather both qualitative and quantitative feedback on the intervention.

Intervention: The staff at Active Adult Center received training in the use of the GDS-15 screening tool, explanation of the mental health wellness program, and distribution of educational materials. A post-survey was distributed to participating members, and the data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: The project included 27 participants, all of whom completed the depression screening. There are 2 participants have GDS score more than 5, which indicated possible mild depression, they have been advised to seek further treatment from their healthcare provider. 8 participants did not record any physical activity attendance, everyone else have attended physical activity classes at least once a week. 11 participants have finished post-survey. The results are clinically significant, participants want to continue exercise after the program and agreed with the benefits of active lifestyles.

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Work Title Mental Health Wellness Program for Older Adults
Access
Penn State
Creators
  1. Qianyu Gong
  2. Sheilah Yohn
  3. Kristen Bransby
  4. Barbara Birriel
Keyword
  1. DNP Project
  2. Depression
  3. Geriatric population
  4. Depression screening
  5. Geriatric depression score
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Project
Acknowledgments
  1. The Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence at Penn State University
Publication Date 2024
DOI doi:10.26207/vyac-7748
Deposited February 21, 2024

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Version 1
published

  • Created
  • Updated
  • Updated Acknowledgments Show Changes
    Acknowledgments
    • College of Nursing Excellence at Penn State University
  • Added Creator Qianyu Gong
  • Added Creator Sheilah Yohn
  • Added Creator Kristen Bransby
  • Added Creator Barbara Birriel
  • Added Gong_finalclean.docx
  • Updated Publication Date, License Show Changes
    Publication Date
    • 2024-2-21
    • 2024
    License
    • https://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/
  • Updated License Show Changes
    License
    • https://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/
    • https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/
  • Published
  • Updated

Version 2
published

  • Created
  • Updated Acknowledgments Show Changes
    Acknowledgments
    • College of Nursing Excellence at Penn State University
    • The Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence at Penn State University
  • Published
  • Updated Keyword, Description Show Changes
    Keyword
    • DNP Project, Depression, Geriatric population, Depression screening, Geriatric depression score
    Description
    • Background: Geriatric depression is a widespread issue that is often underrecognized and undertreated. Lifestyle wellness programs have been implemented in various fields to help prevent and manage chronic diseases including depression.
    • Local Problem: A local senior center has a robust older adult population and offers daily recreational activities. However, the senior center currently lacks a dedicated mental health wellness program for its attendees.
    • Methods: This quality improvement project was conducted in a senior center, guided by the knowledge to action framework model. The implementation of a mental health wellness program in the recreational center included several components: depression screening using the Geriatric Depression Scale 15 (GDS-15), mental health education, and an eight-week physical activity program. Surveys were administered at the end of the project period to gather both qualitative and quantitative feedback on the intervention.
    • Intervention: The staff at Active Adult Center received training in the use of the GDS-15 screening tool, explanation of the mental health wellness program, and distribution of educational materials. A post-survey was distributed to participating members, and the data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.
    • Results: The project included 27 participants, all of whom completed the depression screening. There are 2 participants have GDS score more than 5, which indicated possible mild depression, they have been advised to seek further treatment from their healthcare provider. 8 participants did not record any physical activity attendance, everyone else have attended physical activity classes at least once a week. 11 participants have finished post-survey. The results are clinically significant, participants want to continue exercise after the program and agreed with the benefits of active lifestyles.
  • Updated