Older Adult Behavioral Medicine

The Older Adult Behavioral Medicine Center at Sacred Heart Hospital is a 28-bed unit committed to teaching the older adult with mental problems, including depression. The Center focuses on:

• Respecting the dignity of each individual
• Encouraging patients to reach their fullest potential
• Maintaining or improving cognitive skills and physical health
• Developing social skills and self-esteem

Comprehensive Services

We take a multidisciplinary team approach. Our skilled psychiatric and health professional are trained to help patients achieve the best quality of life. The Center offers:

• Medical consultations
• 24-hour skilled nursing care
• Individual care plans to alleviate treatable psychiatric conditions and manage progressive problems
• Neurologic evaluation, EEG, CT scan, and MRI available
• Neuropsychological and psychological testing
• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Dietary consultations and education
• Medication education and management
• Pastoral care
• Occupational, recreational, music and art therapy
• Discharge planning with the patient and family, including community placement in the most positive and least restrictive long-term setting

Admissions Criteria

All referred patients are screened for admission by a licensed registered nurse and Medical Director. Before admission, patients must meet three criteria:

• Receive a primary psychiatric diagnosis requiring acute inpatient treatment
• Be able to participate in the therapeutic setting and treatment program
• Be 55 or older, or have problems common to the older adult

Patients with chronic medical conditions will be admitted, but those with acute medical illnesses, which require intensive inpatient care, must be treated on a medical unit.

Sacred Heart Hospital does not discriminate in accepting anyone because of ethnic or national origin, race, religion, disability, or sex.

Assessments

The Older Adult Behavioral Center accepts inquiries and referrals by family members, healthcare providers, nursing home care providers, social workers and individuals. An initial assessment is confidential.

For patient referrals or for more information on Sacred Heart Hospital’s Older Adult Behavioral Medicine, please call (610) 776-4930 or (800) 694-4777. To learn more about Sacred Heart Hospital Inpatient Psychiatric services, please call (610) 776-4937.