Seniors

Too often, older adults with serious psychiatric conditions are dismissed as untreatable. From age-related anxiety and depression, to long-standing psychiatric disorders, to dementia and cognitive impairment, older adults can suffer from a wide range of psychiatric illnesses and conditions often exacerbated by chronic pain, Parkinson's disease, heart disease, diabetes, stroke or other medical disorders associated with aging.

Many psychological issues appear in the elderly later in their life. These include dealing with retirement, death of a loved one, physical illness and limited sources of income. For these people, psychiatric problems may result from side effects of medications, such as depression, anxiety and apathy.

Cognitive impairments such as inability to utilize appropriate judgment, and thought processes resulting in dementia or delirium increase due to alcohol usage. Treatment for alcohol and substance abuse is included with psychiatric disorders; however, they are often treated differently from other mental health problems.

The Seniors program is short-term inpatient geriatric psychiatric program with the goal of returning the elderly patient into community and family life as rapidly as possible.

Our experienced, interdisciplinary team, led by our medical director, is responsible for delivering treatment on a day-to-day basis. This team includes psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, licensed social workers and mental health workers who are respectful, supportive and compassionate.

Who Is Appropriate For Admission?

Only those individuals who have a potential for responding to, and benefiting from short-term treatment will be admitted. In addition, the patient must be willing to be an active participant to treatment. Senior citizen patients are admitted to the hospital's existing inpatient psychiatric unit, and their medical care is provided by a psychiatrist and the hospital's experienced psychiatric nursing staff.

Individuals who can no longer manage the activities of daily living due to serious emotional or behavioral changes are candidates for assessment. Often these adults appear depressed, confused or disoriented, fearful, sad, withdrawn, or combative. Their health and safety may also be threatened by non-compliance with a prescribed medication regime.