Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility of the BRIGHTEN Program (Bridging Resources of an Interdisciplinary Geriatric Health Team via Electronic Networking), an interdisciplinary team intervention for assessing and treating older adults for depression in outpatient primary and specialty medical clinics. The BRIGHTEN team collaborates "virtually"…

Purpose of the Study: Stanford's Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) has been proven to increase patients' ability to manage distress. We describe how we replicated CDSMP in Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities. Design and Methods: We used the "track changes" tool to deconstruct CDSMP into its various components…

This guide provides basic information about the use of reality orientation, particularly with an elderly population. The concepts of reality orientation can be learned quickly and can be used in any setting with patients having a variety of diagnoses. (Author)

Describes the Southeast-Bayview Mental Health Center Geriatric Services Unit, which provides a comprehensive mental health program for the elderly of San Francisco. The program emphasis is on crisis intervention, with reliance on home visits and follow-up services as well as screening and referral. (JAC)

Describes a health education program at a life care community, based on Knowles' theory of androgyny. The program significantly affected participants' health behavior which reduced the effects of aging. Planning guidelines, audiovisual considerations, format, and cost are discussed. (JAC)

Purpose: We describe and evaluate a project designed to pilot test an evidence-based clinical intervention for assessing and treating depression in older adults in rural primary care clinics. Project ADAPT--Assuring Depression Assessment and Proactive Treatment--utilized existing primary care resources to overcome barriers to sustainability…

The entire second part of the October issue presents the program for the 28th Annual Meeting of the Gerontological Society. Abstracts of papers are included. (EJT)

A presentation is made of the techniques used in four community-based support groups for elderly persons experiencing moderate stress as a result of the aging process. Results indicated that the majority of clients experienced decreased anxiety, became more effective in problem solving, and began to make use of community resources. (Author)

The Physician Assistant (PA) is a new health-care professional who is trained to function as a "physician extender." The author's experience with 71 PA students and graduate PA's at the Jewish Institute for Geriatric Care is described. (Author)

Describes LINC (Living Independently through Neighborhood Cooperation), which formed intergenerational helping networks in which the elderly served as donors as well as service recipients. The project's evaluation indicated that frail older persons received services, acted as volunteers, developed friendships, and increased life satisfaction. (JAC)

Describes the Potteries Elderly Support Group, a small-scale, locally based initiative in England, which relieves relatives, one day a week, of some of the pressures associated with caring for an elderly mentally infirm person. Details the rationale for the group and describes how it has been funded, staffed, and operated. (JAC)

This paper develops the idea that the family of the aged participant is also a day-care client and should be considered as such in planning and delivering services. Ways of involving the family at the point of intake and in on-going treatment are suggested. (Author)

This paper discusses the rationale for initiating group psychotherapy and a group program for the elderly in a private psychiatric hospital setting. The problems encountered and solutions found for patients, group therapists, and attending psychiatrists, and the therapeutic value of group therapy for the elderly psychiatric patient are examined.…

Two models of geriatric day care can be empirically discriminated using data from a field study of 10 programs. Programs in both models show some tendency to adapt their features to existing environments. Descriptions of both models are presented. (Author)

Describes the National Institute on Aging Teaching Nursing Home (TNH) Program, devised to bring to long-term care research and training activities similar to those in teaching hospitals and thus develop an interface between research and practice. Conflicting goals, orientations, organizations, value systems, and practices are discussed. (JAC)