Health Education as a Basis for Social Support

Abstract

The “Peer Support System” operating from an outpatient geriatric clinic, involved older people in the provision of improved mental health services, including education and service identification. It consisted of (a) recruiting and training 48 peer counselors, and (b) conducting monthly health education workshops. Funded by the Administration on Aging, the project served 2,500 people over a 2-year period in a health care clinic, low income nutrition site, a rural community, and a nursing home.