- Well, I know it's early, but I'll be another year in March.

- [David] After living in Maryland her whole life, Romina Campbell recently moved to Charlotte to be closer to her son.

- So, to move and come into a strange town, I was a little scared, but I would like to try to drive to a movies.

- [David] The move proved to be overwhelming.

She missed her family and friends in Maryland and struggled to navigate the unfamiliar roads in Charlotte.

She drifted into isolation, but then she got connected to the PEARLS program.

- The purpose of the program is actually to work with older adults to reduce depressive as well as isolation symptoms that they may be experiencing right now.

- [David] PEARLS is an evidence-based program being piloted in Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Gaston Counties.

It's a partnership between the NC Center for Health and Wellness at UNC Asheville and the Centralina Area Agency On Aging.

The program uses what's called the PHQ-9 Scale.

It's a questionnaire that assesses an individual's degree of depression.

- Each time that we meet with them, we use a PHQ-9 Depressive Scale where we are seeing if their symptoms are decreasing over each session.

We also tackle each problem that they're facing into bite-size pieces, using a seven step approach.

By doing so, where we identify the problem, we go through solutions to set a goal for the problem.

- Organize.

- [David] PEARLS' coaches also help individuals find social and physical activities to help them stay engaged and active.

- They're more confident in themselves in facing challenges and they're not afraid to ask for help anymore.

They're connecting with others that they used to not connect with before.

They're just happier.

- [David] Romina Campbell's PEARLS coach is helping her adjust to the move.

- But this has been a lifesaver to me, that program, 'cause it was like I ain't know which way to go.

- [David] Campbell now feels confident driving and has a thriving social life in her new community.

For NC Impact, I'm David Hurst.

- And remember your answer choices are not at all, several days, more than half.