<p> Depression is a prevalent problem within the elderly population and the problem is expected to increase with the projected growth of this population. Depression is often caused by inevitable losses related to aging including retirement, moving out of the family home, loss of a spouse or other loved one, and loss of mobility. Depression that is left untreated can put an older adult at risk for suicide and a higher mortality risk due to physical illness. Social support and social contact are important factors in quality of life and mental health outcomes for older adults. Lack of reliable transportation and loss of driving privileges can lead to social isolation and can be a barrier to attending social events and maintaining contact with friends and family members. The purpose of this project was to create a transportation program intended to decrease depression in older adults by reducing social isolation and connecting them to community activities. A search of funding agencies was conducted using the Internet and personal contacts. Archstone Foundation was chosen as the most suitable funding source based on the project goals. Actual submission and/or funding of this grant were not required for successful completion of this project.</p>

<p>Health literacy is described as the ability to process and understand basic health-related information in order to make appropriate health care decisions. It has been shown that many older Latinos have low health literacy resulting in poor health outcomes. Research has also identified that some older Latinos with low health literacy often also have symptoms of depression. The purpose of this project was to write a grant to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to fund a program entitled Tu Vida, Tu Salud, a two-fold program to help older Latinos residing in La Habra, California. The goals are to (1) increase their health literacy through work with a Promotora and (2) decrease their depressive symptomatology through a cognitive-behavioral intervention program. The Institute for Healthcare Advancement and the Family Resource Center in La Habra are the host agencies for this grant. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant was not required for the successful completion of the project.

<p> The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between general health condition, living arrangements, socioeconomic status, and depression among elderly adults. The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) 2011-2012 dataset was utilized in order to conduct the secondary analysis of variables for this study. This study found that there is a significant relationship between general health condition, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender, and depression among the sample of elderly adult participants. The results from this study found that elderly participants who reported a poor general health condition (self-rated health) had higher levels of depression, and elderly adults who reported an excellent general health condition had lower levels of depression. A low socioeconomic status was correlated to higher levels of depression among elderly adults. This study also found that elderly minorities have higher levels of depression when compared to their counterparts. Female elderly adults were found to have higher levels of depression than males in this study. The results of this study serve to raise awareness and contribute knowledge of significant contributing factors correlated to depression among the elderly population.</p>

<p> The purpose of this study was to locate a potential funding source and write a grant to fund a program designed for older adults who suffer from serious mental illness. In this program, the older adults would be using computerized activities to enhance memory. Another portion ofthe program would be dedicated to the prevention of falls through the use of rhythmic steps in music. The program would be held by the host agency, Life Sharing Health Care in the city ofNorwalk, California, once the Archstone Foundation approved and funded the grant proposal. Since memory loss and falls are prevalent in the older adult population, it is essential to create programs whose mission is to prevent these problems from occurring or at least reduce the impairment and frequency. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of the project.</p>

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 1992. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-03, Section: B, page: 1615. Chair: Dolores Gallagher-Thompson.

<p> The proposed support group was designed for older Cambodian refugees who suffer from any mental health conditions primarily from the Khmer Rouge regime. Although the genocide occurred three decades ago, many refugees still suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses, especially among the older generation. The support group will consist of older Cambodian refugees who had lived through the Cambodian genocide (1975-1979), are 55 year of age or older, are currently residing in the Long Beach community and suffer from any mental health condition diagnosed for more than 1 year. The goal of the proposed group is to strengthen the support and connection among the Cambodian refugee elders. The actual submission and/or funding of the grant were not a requirement for the successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> This study examined sociocultural predictors of mental health treatment utilization among a combined clinical and community sample of Black older adults experiencing depression, anxiety and/ or traumatic events. A secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study that investigated the prevalence of depression and the factors associated with it among African Americans, and Caribbean Blacks over the age of 55 living in New York City using binominal logistic regression analyses. The current study investigated how the sociocultural factors of ethnicity, mental health beliefs, ethnic identity, spirituality, and religiosity predicted utilization of formal and informal mental health treatment services. The findings highlight the significance of ethnicity, depression, mental health beliefs and spirituality as predictors of utilization of mental health services. Caribbean Black older adults underutilized mental health treatment services of any type. The current study suggests that attitudes and beliefs about mental illness and health practices is a factor that should been taken into account by clinicians when assessing, diagnosing, treating and trying to maintain adherence to services of older Black adults. </p>