We are currently not accepting new PEARLS clients due to funding constraints, we hope to be able to offer this program again in the future.
The Faith Community Nurse Network’s PEARLS program (Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives) is helping older adults maintain their health, happiness, and independence. Through one-on-one coaching sessions with a trained PEARLS Coach, older adults develop the skills they need to become more physically and socially active and enjoy a rewarding life. PEARLS has been proven effective in treating depression for older adults.
Counseling sessions takes place in an older adult’s home or a community-based setting that is more accessible and comfortable for older adults who do not see other mental health programs as a good fit for them. No formal depression diagnosis is needed to participate
PEARLS was researched and developed through a collaboration between the University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center and local aging service providers.
Benefits of the PEARLS program:
- Reduces depression symptoms by 50%
- Results in greater health-related, quality-of-life improvements in functional and emotional well-being
Program Details
- Goal: To gradually decrease the participant’s avoidance and isolation and increase their engagement in activities. Participants gain confidence and self-management skills needed to direct their own recovery
- Format: One-on-one counseling sessions with a PEARLS Coach
- Duration: 6-8 sessions total, 50 minutes per session
- Frequency: The program begins with weekly sessions that gradually taper to monthly over a 4-5 month timeframe
- Location: Held in-person at home, in a comfortable community setting, by phone, or online by video conference
- Delivered by: Trained PEARLS Coaches who are either nurses or social workers
We are currently not accepting new PEARLS clients.
Questions?
We are currently not accepting new PEARLS clients. Questions an be directed to Sam Sleeman at sam@fcnntc.org.
Guest Expert Volunteers
Guest expert volunteers are a vital part of Stepping On. We are always looking for healthcare professionals who are willing to volunteer a few hours of their time to share their expertise with workshop participants. Each Stepping On workshop requires a physical therapist, a community safety expert (EMT, crossing guard, community safety officer), a pharmacist and a vision expert.
If you are interested in learning more about this professional volunteer opportunity, please contact the FCNN office at contact@fcnntc.org or 651-204-0904 for more information.
Physical Therapists
Physical therapist volunteers play a significant role in Stepping On workshops. They demonstrate the program exercises for participants and advise safe modifications to make the exercises easier or more challenging. Participants really enjoy the time they have with the PT since they participate in 3 of the 7 workshop sessions.
Community Safety Volunteers
Community safety experts volunteer during session 4 of a Stepping On workshop. They may be a community-focused police officer, crossing guard, or occupational therapist and are familiar with the road rules and pedestrian issues specific to the local area. Their purpose is to raise awareness among participants of various situations, risks, and safety alternatives when moving around in the community.
Pharmacist Volunteers
The pharmacist guest expert plays an important role in each Stepping On workshop by demonstrating how medications can increase an individual’s risk of falling and leading an informed discussion with program participants about strategies they can use when working with their doctors and pharmacists to minimize their individual risk factors. The pharmacist guest expert participates in the first half of session 5 of each workshop.
Vision Expert Volunteers
Vision specialists visit during the 5th session of a workshop. They lead an interactive discussion on the influence of vision on balance and the risk of falling and refer participants to available community services.
“What I love about volunteering for Stepping On, is that the participants are very engaged, ask meaningful questions, and really want to educate themselves. They are extremely interested on how to become more confident and safe with navigating in inclement weather, on uneven terrain, steps, etc. I hope to volunteer with this terrific program for many years to come!”
-Melissa Lage, Physical Therapist
Our evidence-based programs are supported by funding from the Live Well at Home grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. This program is also funded under contract with Trellis, Inc. as part of the Older Americans Act Program. We support evidence-based programs in partnership with Juniper, a statewide network of healthcare providers, health plans, housing providers, and community based organizations, all dedicated to improving the health of the communities we serve — together.
