ElderLynk/Healthy IDEAS

ElderLynk
Change is both normal and expected in every stage of life.  However, changes in physical and mental functioning can become overwhelming for older adults and their families.  ElderLynk's care coordination services assist older adults who are having difficulty living independently in their homes by providing appropriate community-based linkages to services that can help.  Our goal is to help individuals and their families put the "pieces of the puzzle" together to create a system of care that promotes independence, emotional well being, and maximum functioning.

ElderLynk services include:
1) Free phone assistance to locate needed services to maintain independence;
2) Care coordination for a small free (includes comprehensive assessment, plan of care, reassessment and monitoring); and,
3) In-service training opportunities including programs such as Communicating
        with Persons with Dementia, Managing Challenging Behaviors in Long-Term
        Care: Restraint Free Approaches to Dementia Care, Caring for the
        Caregiver, etc.  These programs are available at no cost to NMRHN member
        agencies.

Healthy IDEAS
Healthy IDEAS (Identifying Depression, Empowering Activities for Seniors) is an evidence-based program that integrates depression awareness and management into existing case management services provided to older adults.  Healthy IDEAS improves quality of life by:
1) Screening for symptoms of depression and assessing their severity;
2) Educating older adults and caregivers about depression;
3) Linking older adults to primary care and mental health providers; and,
4) Empowering older adults to manage their depression through a behavioral
        activation approach that encourages involvement in meaningful activities.

Healthy IDEAS brings together community service providers, the mental/behavioral health community and healthcare providers to provide a low-cost, practical way for addressing depression among older adults.

Healthy IDEAS is a proven program that can be flexibly integrated into the regular routines of existing staff.  Special training and detailed tools to deliver the program are available at minimal cost.  Healthy IDEAS can be used with older adults of any age, race or economic status.

Healthy IDEAS also offers an opportunity to create or strengthen partnerships between public, and private service providers, funding organizations, and academic institutions to achieve meaningful and significant benefits for older adults and their families.

NMRHN is working with the Northeast and Northwest Area Agencies on Aging, Mark Twain Behavioral Health, Preferred Family Healthcare and North Central Missouri Mental Health Center on a two-year grant project to implement Healthy IDEAS into their case management services.  This program is partially funded by the Missouri Foundation for Health, a philanthropic organization whose vision is to improve the health of the people in the communities it serves. 

Bridget Morton, RN-BC, NMRHN ElderLynk Coordinator and a certified Regional Healthy IDEAS trainer would be happy to present to organizations upon request by calling the Network office at 660-342-6455.

Be sure to visit the Health Related Events page to view a list of community programs!

Northeast Missouri Rural Health Network 117 W. Potter Avenue, Kirksville, MO 63501 Phone 660-665-0330 Toll Free 877-539-2227 Fax 660-665-0030 nmrhn@sbcglobal.net