What Makes PEARLS Different

The PEARLS program is an outgrowth of a 5-year research project conducted in collaboration with the University of Washington’s Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC). They found that PEARLS participants had a 50% or higher reduction in symptoms of depression, and 36% showed complete remission. Participants’ quality of life, both physical and emotional, improved, resulting in fewer hospitalizations.

PEARLS is one of only a handful of programs that focuses on helping older adults develop the skills they need to maintain their health, happiness and independence. The program is part of a cultural shift in how depression is managed by and for aging community members.

PEARLS coaches meet one-on-one with older adults for 6-8 sessions, each lasting 1-2 hours, over the course of six months.