13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |Program helps seniors cope with depression

Program helps seniors cope with depression

Anne Marie Tiernon/Eyewitness News

Indianapolis - A free program is making an impact on senior citizens looking for support for mental health issues.

A new federal grant means expanded access for adults 60 years and older who are dealing with anxiety, social isolation and depression. Juanita and Woody Vandivier say the support is just what they needed after a frustrating year.

"I feel so guilty, because I can't help her. I am plain helpless," Woody said.

Juanita, 82, was feeling "off."

"I would say anxiety and overwhelmed. I didn't feel like I was depressed, I just could not navigate," she said. "I just wanted to sit in the chair and sit or go to bed."

"When I say the wrong word and she goes bananas, it hurts," said Woody.

Married 50 years and in their 80's, the couple is part of a generation for which therapy carries a stigma.

"People our age don't want people to know I am going to a nutcracker, you know, a head shrinker," Woody said.

"I knew I wasn't operating correctly and that I needed to get help," said Juanita.

So the couple found the Impact Program, where both got free counseling.

"Everything bothered me, with the economy, going to run out of money," Juanita said.

She got help with medications.

"Because we are federally funded, it doesn't matter if you are insured, uninsured, you are employed or not employed, financial status, insurance status, absolutely does not matter," said Brooke Huber, a nurse practitioner with the Impact Program.

Adults aged 60 and over in Johnson and Marion counties qualify for the senior support, which is estimated to impact 20 percent of older adults.

"Depression is real, it is not a normal aging process," Huber said.

Now, the Vandiviers schedule at least one fun activity a day, whether working on puzzles together or going for a walk. They are back in sync.

"Great, great. It was like in the old days, I feel like I got my life back in a sense," Juanita said.

It's free and available for the next two years. Right now, the turnaround time is two days from when you first make a call to the Impact Program.

For more information contact:

Senior IMPACT Program
Adult&Child
8404 Siear Terrace
Indianapolis, IN 46227
317-893-0440

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