Telehealth, Even from Lay Counselors, Can Help Depressed, Homebound, Older Adults

Many homebound older adults are socioeconomically disadvantaged and, when suffering from depression, may respond poorly to pharmacotherapy, which does not address their multiple life stressors. In a randomized, controlled study, researchers assessed the effects of three treatments in 277 older adults (mean age, 68) with at least moderate depression who were receiving case management services. The three approaches were telehealth behavioral activation (BA) delivered by bachelors-level lay counselors, telehealth problem-solving therapy (PST) delivered by licensed masters-level clinicians, and supportive phone calls (control) delivered by research assistants.

Response and remission rates were significantly greater with PST or BA than with contr…