Community-based organizations can support primary care clinics in implementing depression interventions for older adults. 

Background 

Depression is prevalent in older adults and may be impacted by circumstances related to aging, such as changes in physical and cognitive health and evolving social needs. For some people, addressing both medical and social needs may be necessary to effectively treat and support management of depression. Through the Care Partners Project, primary care clinics with integrated behavioral health care services partnered with community-based organizations (CBOs) to comprehensively support older adults with depression. This study assessed how CBOs contributed to depression care.  

Findings  

Forty-three interviews and 15 focus groups of staff from six primary care and CBO partnerships were conducted to understand CBOs’ role in late-life depression care. Selected staff included care managers, primary care physicians, psychiatric consultants, and administrators. CBOs contributed to primary care depression interventions by: (1) providing new services to address social needs (e.g., transportation, educational classes, or social support); (2) supporting core aspects of depression care (e.g., behavioral activation and motivational interviewing); and (3) helping build trust with patients (e.g., by providing culturally congruent services). 

Policy/Program Takeaways 

CBO partnerships hold promise for supporting primary care-based behavioral health interventions. Providers, health plans, and policymakers may consider how to support and strengthen relationships between primary care and CBOs to address social needs of older adults.