St. Mary's Hospital - Decatur Services Behavioral Health Senior Behavioral Health
St Mary Decatur Senior behavioral health caregiver with woman

Senior Behavioral Health

An interdisciplinary team approach is our greatest strength. Quality patient care in a psychiatric setting depends greatly on getting the right mix of psychiatric and medical care professionals working together for the patient. Our experienced and qualified staff includes the following:  Medical Director/Psychiatrist, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Recreational Therapist, Registered Nursing Staff and Dietitian.  Our team all works together to provide the best care plan possible. 


Goals

 

Every effort is made to help caregivers and family members determine the best options for the older patient who is experiencing a loss of cognitive abilities. We keep the patient's caregivers (primary physician, specialists, home health agencies, etc.) involved throughout the treatment planning. Together, we focus on restoring the patient to health.

The discharge planning process is initiated upon admission into St. Mary's Hospital Senior Behavioral Health. Our goal is to assist the patient in determining what the best and most appropriate discharge setting is.

Our Mission

 


In years past, elderly people who seemed confused or disoriented were often placed in nursing homes. Symptoms of clinical depression or other diagnosable and treatable ailments were dismissed as "normal for their age." Today, health care professionals understand that our elderly population has been severely underserved. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that 18 to 25 percent of the geriatric population experiences significant mental health symptoms that warrant professional intervention. In Senior Behavioral Health, we are working to reverse that trend. Our treatment team is committed to assisting older adults enhance their quality of life.

 

We recognize there are many factors that uniquely affect the elderly patient, including the use of multiple medications to treat various medical complications that come with aging, physical impairments that limit mobility and activities of daily living and the many life changes and losses that take from their financial, social and emotional support systems when most needed. St. Mary's Hospital Senior Behavioral Health's treatment provides a balanced mix of psychological and medical care.

Admissions

 

Anyone can call St. Mary's Hospital Senior Behavioral Health. Referrals may be made by physicians, health care professionals, friends or family. A free confidential assessment can be scheduled in the individual's home, at the hospital, physician's office or wherever the individual feels most comfortable.

All admissions are reviewed with, ordered, directed and supervised by a licensed psychiatrist.

If a patient's assessment determines that a stay at St. Mary's Hospital Senior Behavioral Health would be beneficial, our representative meets with the patient and family members to discuss a treatment program. The program is individually tailored to the needs of the patient, and may include evaluation of medications to determine their effect on cognition, group therapy, teaching of coping skills and dealing with anxiety issues.

Treatment Services

 

Treatment program services include:

  • Evaluation and Treatment

  • Diagnostic Services

  • Medication Evaluation

  • Dietary Evaluation

  • Medical Treatment

  • Group Counseling

  • Individual Counseling

  • Inpatient Treatment

  • Physical Rehabilitation

  • Activity Therapy

  • Discharge Planning

  • Discharge Follow-up

Symptoms

 

Patients 65 and older considered for treatment at St. Mary's Hospital Senior Behavioral Health typically suffer from these difficulties:

  • Severe depression

  • Sudden onset or increase in confusion, disorientation or memory loss

  • Hallucinations, delusions and/or paranoia

  • Potential danger to self or others

  • Sudden change in ability to attend to normal daily activities

  • Noncompliance with prescribed psychiatric health regimen

  • Problems coping with stressful situations

    Call today for a free patient assessment at 217.464.5280. We are located at 1800 E. Lake Shore Drive Decatur, IL 62521.