The Investigation of Pastoral Care Interventions as a Treatment for Depression Among Continuing Care Retirement Community Residents

This prospective study provided support for the efficacy of pastoral care with older adults both as a treatment for depression and as a prophylactic to deter the potential negative impact of change and life circumstances. Subjects included forty persons taking anti-depressant medication, forty persons at risk for depression, and forty people recruited by convenience. Treatment subjects were visited by a chaplain for a 30-minute period weekly for six months. Control subjects received only minimal pastoral care. Treatment group post-test scores for depression decreased, while follow-up treatment group scores for depression increased after cessation of the intervention. Prayer, counseling for issues raised, grief work, active listening, life review, and the provision of blessings were significantly associated with a reduction in depression scores.