Shifting the paradigm in Geriatric Care Management: Moving from the medical model to patient-centered care

Studies of Geriatric Care Management Programs have had mixed results at best. Little evidence exists to attest to the effectiveness of these programs in improving patient outcomes and decreasing avoidable acute care service use. In response to these data, Kaiser Permanente's Geriatric Care Management program initiated a randomized trial to test an integrated, multifaceted depression treatment model within the care management framework and its ability to detect and treat moderately and severely depressed older adults. This paper presents case studies of the geriatric care managers' practice changes associated with this intervention as well as case studies of two depressed clients, their experiences and outcomes associated with this study. Implications of this model are discussed.