Bringing home mental healthcare. In-home peer counseling benefits the elderly.

Elderly persons who live alone often feel isolated and depressed, especially when they live in remote rural areas. Humboldt County, CA, is known for its rugged mountain terrain and as much as 39 inches of precipitation each winter. This can lead many homebound elderly to feel isolated. So in 1987 Humboldt Home Health Services, Eureka, CA, together with other county agencies, established a free, in-home peer counseling program for area residents over age 60. After attending a free, five-day peer counseling session, representatives from HHHS and other county agencies discussed which agency would be responsible for certain peer counseling program tasks and began the counselor recruitment process. In June 1989, 12 volunteers attended the first training session. Once they complete their training, the volunteer peer counselors commit to working at least eight hours a week for one year. The eight hours are taken up by counseling sessions, travel time, meetings with supervisors, group discussion, and record keeping. Peer counselors have been trained to listen and respond to calls for help. Unlike professional counselors, however, they do not diagnose and treat complex pathological problems. On the other hand, because they have smaller caseloads than professional counselors, peer counselors are able to spend more time with their clients.