The African American Elders Program serves African American elders in central and southeast Seattle and south King County. The program identifies frail, isolated and hard-to-serve African Americans and assists them in accessing and receiving needed social and health services through ongoing case management, support, and referrals. The program identifies African Americans who are:

• 60 years and older
• Chronically ill, frail, or disabled
• Unable to obtain services or perform activities of daily living
• Low-income or below poverty level
• At risk of premature institutionalization
• In need of multiple services in order to remain in their homes
• Lacking formal and informal support systems
• Have one ADL deficit

The program is located in the Randolph Carter Family and Learning Center in Seattle.

PEARLS, The Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives

PEARLS is an in-home counseling program that teaches depression management techniques to older adults experiencing minor depression. The program serves all ethnic groups throughout Seattle and King County.

PEARLS criteria: Feeling down or blue, or lost interest in doing things, 55 years or older, low income, veteran, or spouse of veteran, does not have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar, manic depression, or a current substance abuse.