Program to Encourage Active and Rewarding Lives (PEARLS)

The PEARLS for older adults program has been discontinued effective June 30, 2023. We thank Trellis and Minnesota Department of Human Services Live Well at Home grant for their financial support of the program over the years.

PEARLS for Caregivers

Contact Tara Burns, PEARLS Counselor (763) 300-3146.

It is important to take time to care for yourself, so you can be well enough to take the best care of your loved one. The demanding and unfamiliar role of caregiver can take an incredible toll, often without the caregiver even realizing. It is not unusual for caregivers to develop mild or more serious depression as a result of the continual demands they face while providing care. In fact, between 40 to 70% of caregivers have clinically significant symptoms of depression.

Are you a caregiver who could benefit from short-term counseling? PEARLS for Caregivers is a short-term counseling specifically designed for people living with low mood or depression. It uses a well-researched and structured approach that has been proven to reduce symptoms of depression. The counseling offered in this program helps caregivers focus on their own mental health while coping with the difficult challenges inherent in care-giving

Counselors will meet with caregivers either by phone, Zoom, or in person at JFS to provide eight FREE one-on-one support sessions over three to four months. For caregivers who prefer or live outside of our St. Paul metro service area, tele-counseling may be an option. After the sessions are complete, four additional follow-up phone sessions are available.

When needed, our counselors can make referrals to help caregivers be successful in addressing their depression and reaching goals that support their mental health. For example, referrals are made for psychotherapists, grief support groups, caregiver support groups, friendly visitor volunteers, etc.

This program is funded under contract with the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging as part of the Older Americans Act Program, and supported, in part, by a Live Well at Home grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services.