Behavioral Health Center

Senior Adult Program

Senior adults experience many life changes; often these changes are due to loss of loved ones, declining physical health and loss of independence. Acute and chronic illnesses may complicate and contribute to major life changes that can be overwhelming. These events can trigger depression, anxiety and other severe psychiatric symptoms that may require treatment by specially trained psychiatric physicians, nurses and therapists.

The Senior Adult Program at Regional Medical Center (RMC) Behavioral Health Center is designed as a 15 bed short-term inpatient treatment program for adults 65 & over who are experiencing severe behavioral and/or emotional symptoms.

The following are common life changes that can trigger symptoms and need for specialized psychiatric intervention.

• Physical disability – Long-term illness
• Dementia-causing illness
• Physical illnesses that can affect thought, memory, and emotion
• Change of environment, like moving out of family home
• Illness or loss of a loved one
• Medication interactions
• Alcohol or substance abuse
• Poor diet or malnutrition

Symptoms that may indicate the need for treatment:

• Sad or depressed mood lasting longer than two weeks
• Social withdrawal; loss of interest in things that used to be enjoyable
• Onset of confusion, disorientation, problems with concentration or decision-making
• Increase or decrease in appetite; changes in weight
• Memory loss, especially abrupt recent or short-term memory problems
• Feelings of worthlessness or thoughts of suicide
• Agitation, aggression, threats/attempts to harm others
• Hallucinations and or Delusional thoughts
• Loss of interest in personal appearance/hygiene
• Refusing to take prescribed medications

Our Program

Our program is designed to provide stabilization and individualized care in a safe, supportive environment and includes:

• Comprehensive evaluation
• Diagnosis and symptom stabilization
• Daily Psychiatric assessment
• Medical management of secondary medical conditions
• 24-hour nursing care
• Family education and support
• Individual, group, exercise and art therapies
• Discharge planning and coordination of follow up care

An individualized treatment plan is developed for each patient upon admission. Prior to discharge, our team will explore and recommend appropriate settings and resources to assist the patient based on his or her level of functioning.

Our Team

The Senior Adult Program is led by Dr. Bryan West who is a psychiatrist. The multi-disciplinary team includes a psychologist, nurse practitioner, licensed master social worker, activity therapist, occupational therapist and psychiatric nurses. Other disciplines are included in the individual treatment planning as a need is identified.

We Can Help

Referrals for admission are accepted 24 hours/7 days a week and can be initiated by physicians, health care professionals, family members and patient self-referral.

Call us at 803-395-2830