PROTECT: A Pilot Program to Integrate Mental Health Treatment Into Elder Abuse Services for Older Women.

Overview

The goal of this pilot program was to test the usefulness of adapted Problem-Solving Therapy (PST) and anxiety management, called PROTECT, integrated into elder abuse services to reduce depression and improve self-efficacy. Depressed women victims were randomized to receive elder abuse resolution services combined with either PROTECT or a mental health referral. At follow-up, the PROTECT group showed greater reduction in depressive symptoms and endorsed greater improved self-efficacy in problem-solving when compared to those in the Referral condition. These preliminary findings support the potential usefulness of PROTECT to alleviate depressive symptoms and enhance personal resources among abused older women.