Senior Behavioral Health is a short-term inpatient
geriatric psychiatric program with the goal for returning the elderly
patient into community and family life as rapidly as possible.
Too often, older adults with serious psychiatric
conditions are dismissed as “senile” and therefore,
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 –
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, apathy.
Cognitive impairments increase due to alcohol
usage, such as inability to utilize appropriate judgment, and thought
processes resulting in Dementia or Delirium. Treatment for alcohol
and substance abuse are included with psychiatric disorders, however
they are often treated differently from other mental health problems.
Our experienced, interdisciplinary team, led
by our medical director Dr.
William M. Meaney, M.D., is responsible for delivering treatment
on a day-to-day basis. This team includes psychiatrists, psychiatric
nurses, internal medicine physicians, social workers, activity therapists
and mental health workers who are respectful, supportive and compassionate.
Additionally, our residents are treated by physical therapist, occupational
therapist, and speech therapist as needed.
Who Is Appropriate For Admission?
Only those individuals who have a potential for
responding to, and benefiting from short term treatment will be
admitted. Admitting behaviors are: anxiety, hallucinations, delusions,
paranoia, agitation, combativeness, disorganized behaviors, mania,
non-compliance with medication or care, suicidal ideation, substance
abuse, depression, chronic fatigue, excessive feelings of worthlessness
or guilt, frequent crying, inability to concentrate, loss of interest
in activities, sleeping too much or too little, increased or decreased
appetite.
For more information, please
call 479-394-7400 or toll free 1-888-394-7300
Consultations & Assessments are available 24 hours a day.