Brief Description

Healthy IDEAS (Identifying Depression & Empowering 

Activities for Seniors) is a service delivery model that extends 

the reach of current community-based aging services by 

integrating depression awareness and self-management 

interventions into existing case-management programs. As one 

of the Administration for Community Living’s “Evidencebased Prevention Programs for Older Adults,” Healthy IDEAS 

uses evidence-based practices to identify and address 

depression symptoms in those most at risk of being 

unrecognized and undertreated for depression. The program is 

also listed in CDC’s 2009 issue brief, Addressing Depression 

in Older Adults: Selected Evidence-Based Programs.

Is it a good fit for my agency?

If your agency serves older adults and fits one of the following 

categories, Healthy IDEAS is an appropriate intervention for 

you – for example, if you are a 

 Area Agency on Aging

 Local nonprofit social service agency

 Behavioral health provider agency

 Caregiver support program

 Senior service center

 Home health care agency

 Health department

 Supported housing agency

It’s a feasible option for community-based organizations that 

have an established program of care management, case 

management, or other one-on-one social service programs that 

serve older adults. It typically requires the agency to allow 

staff 6 hours of additional time over 3 months with 20%-30% 

of their existing older-adult caseload. Agencies with only 

short-term relationships (less than 3-6 months) with their older 

adult clients are not able to implement the program. It’s 

recommended that you complete the Agency Readiness to 

Implement self-assessment tool as a first step in your decision 

process. The tool is designed to help organizations identify 

what additional commitments, capabilities, resources and 

partners might be needed to progress with plans to implement 

this program. A free consultation is also available to assess 

organizational readiness to implement the program. 

Cultural Adaptations & Exclusions

Culturally adapted and translated materials are available in 

Spanish and Chinese. The effectiveness study excluded 

clients who could not communicate verbally or who were 

significantly cognitively impaired. The program’s 

effectiveness for these populations is not known at this time. 

How does it work?

Case managers are trained to implement the program. Case 

management clients are screened for symptoms of depression 

using a standardized depression scale. Participants and their 

caregivers, if appropriate, receive education about depression 

treatment and self-care, and participants receive active 

assistance in obtaining further treatment from primary care 

and mental health providers. They receive coaching and 

support as they engage in behavioral activation to manage 

their depression and pursue personal, meaningful activities. 

The program also seeks to improve the linkage between 

community aging service providers (for example, Area 

Agencies on Aging) and health care professionals through 

appropriate referrals, better communication, and effective 

partnerships. Guidance is available for training and

implementing the program remotely. 

Program Materials

The basic replication toolkit includes a program manual with 

sections for agency leaders and direct providers, client 

handouts, sample assessment and reporting forms, a training 

recording, and a training curriculum.

Learn More

The program’s website provides detailed information about 

program implementation. The online inquiry form is the 

recommended first step in contacting the developer. 

 Healthy IDEAS: 

Identifying Depression & Empowering 

Activities for Seniors

July 2021
Program Costs

The cost of the full Training and Technical Assistance 

Package is approximately $4,000 plus travel expenses for a 

Healthy IDEAS Certified Regional Trainer to conduct the 

Healthy IDEAS hands-on, skills-based training for your staff 

and supervisors. There are two training models, and program 

costs vary, based on the training model chosen. Larger 

agencies training more than 22 staff and supervisors will need 

to plan for an additional fee of $1,500 and travel expenses for 

a second trainer. Remote training became available during the 

COVID pandemic and will likely continue to be an option. 

Potential Funding Sources

The program is currently being implemented by agencies in 10 

states through several different funding sources including:

 Older Americans Act case management programs

through Area Agencies on Aging

 Older Americans Act Family Caregiver Support

Programs through state and local agencies

 Medicaid home- and community-based services case

management programs

 State-funded case management

 United Way-funded nonprofit case management

program

 Grant funding from private foundations

Program’s Value

Potential funders typically ask how the program will add value 

to the community in terms of enhancing individual health and 

well-being and population health, facilitating treatment and 

recovery efforts, and/or reducing overall health costs. The 

following are important program outcomes to note in this 

context:

In a six-month study... 

 Program participants significantly increased their

depression self-management skills such as

recognizing symptoms, knowing when symptoms

have increased, and making appointments to get

mental health support.

 The percentage of participants reporting that their

emotional state did not substantially interfere with

their social activities increased from 26% to 57%.

 The percentage of participants who reported having

no or only mild physical pain increased from 16% to

45%.

Distinctive Features

 Unlike some evidence-based

programs, Healthy Ideas does

not require hiring of specialized

staff. Existing case

management staff are trained

to implement the program.

 There are crossover benefits: In

addition to improved mental

health and overall quality of life,

program participants also

reported reduced physical pain

symptoms.

Financing and Implementing Healthy IDEAS 

Through Community Collaborations