Inpatient and Outpatient Services
As people age, their health needs often become more complicated. Medical problems, such as arthritis and high blood pressure, are common, but so are emotional challenges, including the loss of a spouse and/or living on a declining income. These dilemmas can combine to rob seniors of their health and independence, but help is available.
Inpatient Services
Specialists at the Behavioral Health unit of Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital treat not only the physical challenges that patients face daily but their emotional challenges as well. Mental health issues can include depression, dementia, agitation and behavioral issues.
Our goal is to help patients reach their maximum functional level, and to live as independently as possible after discharge. Behavioral Health rehabilitation combines the existing services of internal medicine, rehabilitation, and psychiatry in an integrated, focused program.
Outpatient Services
Outpatient Mental Health programs, associated with the Specialty Hospital at Levindale, are specifically designed for older adults -usually 60 and above- who are experiencing emotional difficulties. As people age, their health needs can become more complicated, and they may be faced with difficult challenges. Among them can be loss of independence, mobility, loved ones and income. These dilemmas can rob seniors of their overall emotional-well being.
Symptoms can include:
- Change in personality
- Depressed and/or anxious mood
- Increased irritability
- Frequent or uncontrollable crying
- Sleep disturbances
- Changes in appetite
- Excessive feelings of guilt, helplessness and/or hopelessness
- Loss of interest in personal hygiene
- Functional decline
- Unexplained physical symptoms
- Change in mental status/ memory loss and/or confusion
- Paranoia and/or hallucinations
Treatment Programs
The mission of Levindale’s Outpatient Mental Health programs is to provide a continuum of care that addresses the emotional, psychological and social issues that may be interfering with an individual's health and ability to function.
Our goal is to help patients reach their maximum potential by emphasizing ways to cope with and enjoy daily life. Medication management is provided, if indicated, and individual and group therapies are used to enhance communication, expression of feelings and reality orientation.
All participants receive an individualized treatment plan that reflects their challenges and goals to promote health, stability and empowerment, so they can achieve their full potential using community and independent living skills.
Psychiatric Day Treatment Program
This program is often used to avoid psychiatric hospitalization or as a step-down from an inpatient setting. Therapeutic treatment emphasizes ways to cope with daily life. Discharge planning is created to help each person achieve realistic goals.
Outpatient Mental Health Clinic
The intent of programs at Levindale’s Outpatient Mental Health Clinic is to provide mental health therapies to individuals so they can maintain a healthy outlook, whether they experience chronic or new-onset psychiatric/behavioral disorders. Levindale’s experts also provide follow-up plans that focus on each person’s well-being so they can live as independently as possible after discharge.
Treatment Team
Treatment is provided by a multidisciplinary team of caring and experienced behavioral health specialists that includes:
- Board Certified Geriatric Psychiatrists
- Certified Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Certified Psychiatric Nurses
- Certified Licensed Social Workers
Referrals are welcome from physicians, behavioral health professionals, residential facilities, nursing homes, family members and significant others.
Referrals
Outside referrals are welcome from physicians, behavioral health professionals, assisted living/group home facilities, retirement communities, nursing homes, family members, and other involved people.
Levindale's Mental Health Programs
As you can see, a continuum of care is provided with many agencies that offer community resources, including Sinai Hospital and Jewish Family Services.
Patient, family and caregiver education is provided.
For more information on the mental health programs offered at Levindale call 410-601-2358.