Three people hold hands facing each other in a circle, with several others sitting in chairs behind them.

POWER-OR: Promoting Older Adult Wellness and Evidence-Based Resources in Oregon

Background

Oregon’s Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health and Aging (OCEBHA) was awarded a 2025 Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Grant award by the Administration for Community Living (ACL). This 3-year grant will increase the number of older adults and people living with disabilities in Oregon participating in structured evidence-based chronic disease self-management education (CDSME) and self-management support programs to address behavioral health challenges, specifically depression and substance use disorders. The program will deliver the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) within senior community centers, and the Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS) within assisted living communities to empower participants to improve their mental well-being by developing problem-solving skills, engaging in social and physical activities, and behavioral techniques and coping strategies. Our statewide program will address stressors including the onset of a chronic condition/disability or a sudden change in housing status, such as moving to a community-based care setting.

Project Team

Walter Dawson, DPhil, Co-Project Director (wdawson@pdx.edu)

Paula Carder, PhD, Co-Project Director (pcarder@pdx.edu)

Megan Melady, MPA (mmelady@pdx.edu)

Allyson Stodola, MSW (astodola@pdx.edu)

Douglass Ruth, LCSW (dougruth@pdx.edu)

Madeline Crocker, MPH (macrock@pdx.edu)

Karen Cellairus, MPA (cellark@pdx.edu)

Lindsey Smith, PhD (smithlin@ohsu.edu)

Vimal Aga, MD (aga@ohsu.edu)

Goals

Goal 1: Through a statewide initiative, develop the capacity (e.g., instructors, partnerships, and referral networks) to increase the number of older adults and adults with disabilities in the target populations who participate in evidence-based chronic disease self-management education (CDSME) and self-support programs.

Goal 2: Improve the behavioral health of older adults and people with disabilities in Oregon by increasing participants in CDSME and self-management programs.

Goal 3: Develop and disseminate 508-compliant resources specific to lessons learned to enhance knowledge in serving the target population and promote program sustainability.

Contact

Interested in becoming a WRAP facilitator or PEARLS coach within your community, and/or want to get more information on the project or joining a group in your area? Email: poweror@pdx.edu.