The Family Health Centers of Asheville, Arden and Hominy Valley is part of the IMPACT program. The three-year program is managed by Community Care of Western North Carolina (CCWNC) and is funded by a grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
The IMPACT program assists patients over the age of 60 who experience greater isolation, poor sleep, increased physical pain and other symptoms of depression by early recognition of the problem. The care team includes the patient, his or her family doctor, IMPACT Care Manager Debra Moon, LCSW-A, and other professionals. This team works together to provide treatment, problem solving and prevention services. Research has shown that this model improves quality of life for the elderly population often demonstrates improvement within 12 weeks.
Dr. Wendy K. Coin of The Family Health Centers says: “Many adults over age 65 have medical depression that is hidden by distracting medical problems. Untreated medical depression can make chronic conditions worse for older adults. The Family Health Centers’ physicians work in accordance with national guidelines that advise us to screen our senior patients for medical depression. These guidelines fall short, however, by not providing adequate support for treatment for medical depression. With the resources provided by the IMPACT grant we are better positioned to diagnose as well as treat depression among Buncombe, Henderson and McDowell seniors. We are thrilled to be a part of a program to improve the emotional and total health of senior patients in the community.”
CCWNC was founded in 1998 as a non-profit organization serving Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, Yancey, Mitchell, Polk, Transylvania and McDowell counties. It is one of 14 physician-led networks comprising the statewide Community Care of North Carolina (CCNC) organization.
The Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust was established in 1947 and is now one of the largest private trusts in North Carolina. Its mission is to improve the quality of life and quality of health for the financially needy of North Carolina.
Program brochure: tfhc_impact_bro_print_june24
Press Release content courtesy of CCWNC.