Current Depression Interventions for Older Adults: A Review of Service Delivery Approaches in Primary Care, Home-Based, and Community-Based Settings

Abstract

Although evidence-based depression interventions exist, relatively few older adults seek care from mental health specialists. Moreover, studies that examine the models used to deliver mental health services have been limited. In light of an aging and diversifying population, this article reviews current depression interventions for older adults in non-mental health clinics. A total of 21 articles were included in this review focusing on depression interventions conducted in primary care, home-based, and community-based settings. Notably, care manager-based interventions and problem solving interventions reduced depression across settings. Very few studies focused on racial/ethnic minority populations. Models of geriatric service delivery are highlighted and implications for ethnic minority older adults are discussed in light of health care reform. (copyright) 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.