Improving depression and well-being in older adults using selection, optimization, and compensation model: A case series

Background: There is a need to study age-sensitive psychological management for improving the clinical and overall health outcome for elderly adults. Hence, we intended to evaluate the effects of selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC) model, usually studied in nonmental health settings predominantly, in managing depression and well-being of the elderly in a clinical mental health setting in an Indian context. Methods: A pre–postintervention with a 2-month-follow-up approach was adopted. We delivered six sessions over 4–5 months. An independent rater assessed participants using the Beck Depression Inventory-II and World Health Organization's Well-Being Index (WHO-5) at baseline, postintervention, and a 2-month follow-up. Results: There was a clinically significant improvement in depression severity and well-being of participants at the postintervention and 2-month follow-up. Conclusions: SOC-based intervention has potential therapeutic effects in improving depression severity and well-being of elderly individuals in clinical settings. We recommend the current protocol to be studied in a randomized design study with a larger sample size and a longer follow-up period.