Geriatric Behavioral Health
Unit
In a continuing effort to broaden the range of healthcare
services available to Louisiana residents, Kindred Hospital New Orleans is
pleased to provide inpatient treatment to persons 65 years or older in need of
immediate intervention for behavioral or emotional issues. Located in the
garden district of New Orleans, Kindred
Hospital is a Long-Term
Acute-Care hospital serving the area since 1992 and is fully accredited by the
Joint Commission.
The Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit offers inpatient
treatment to older adults experiencing emotional, cognitive or behavioral
dysfunctions. At Kindred, we recognize the different needs of the older
population and the issues that may be associated with aging. For older adults,
these challenges may include declining physical or mental capabilities,
medication adjustments, the loss of loved ones or the loss of independence. Our
goal is to restore the patient to their maximum level of functioning within a
caring, safe and serene environment.
Treatment Methods and Techniques
Our Geriatric Behavioral
Health Unit’s multidisciplinary approach draws upon a full range of treatment
methods and techniques, including psychiatric evaluations, internal medicine
and neurological consultations, psychosocial assessment and history, nursing
assessment, laboratory testing, and psychological evaluations. Based on
comprehensive evaluations, individualized treatment plans may include the
following specific services:
- Individual and family
therapy
- Group psychotherapy
- Expressive arts therapy
- Medication management and
education
- Coping skills education
- Memory impairment
assessment
- Psychological testing
- Family education and
training
- Nutritional assessment and
counseling
- Occupational, physical or
speech therapy
- Discharge planning
Kindred Hospital’s services are covered by
most insurance companies, including Medicare.
Mental disorders do not have to be part of aging
Medications, physical
illness, dementia or grief can influence behavior. If left untreated, mental illness
in older adults can lead to disability, poor quality of life or inappropriate
placement. Signs of treatable mental illness in older adults may include:
- Persistent depression and
apathy
- Inability to accept or
adjust to losses
- Hearing or seeing things
that are not present
- Obvious personality change
- Extreme mood swings
- Excessive fear, anxiety,
anger or irritability
- Loss of interest in
personal appearance
- Refusing to take
medications
- Aggressive or combative
behavior
- Acute deterioration of
coping skills, placing person or others at risk
- Emotional difficulty due to
chronic medical conditions
- Inability to take care of
day-to-day needs
- Increase of memory problems
- Sudden onset of inability
to deal with stressful situations
- Significant change of
appetite, sleep patterns or energy
- Recurrent thoughts of death
or suicide
According to the Surgeon
General’s report on mental health, up to 20% of adults over 65 experience some
type of mental disorder, yet researchers believe that more than 60% of those
people needing mental health services go without treatment. Fortunately, these
individuals can be successfully treated with medications or psychotherapy once
properly diagnosed.
To
make a referral, inquire about admission, arrange a visit, or get more
information, please
call 504.899.1555.
Kindred Hospital will provide services without regard to age, gender,
race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation,
political affiliation, or economic status.
Multidisciplinary
Team Approach
Our multidisciplinary team
monitors patients with particular attention to their unique medical,
nutritional and mental health issues in order to provide high quality patient
care. Our team of trained professionals is dedicated to improving and
maintaining the behavioral health of the patient and include:
- Psychiatrist
- Geriatric internist
- Licensed Clinical Social
Worker
- Comprehensive case
management team
- Board certified expressive
therapist
- Psychiatric nurses
- Occupational, physical and
speech therapists
- Registered clinical
dietician
- Respiratory therapist
- Mental health technicians
Our Geriatric Behavioral
Health Unit is designed to effectively treat patients who need immediate
intervention and may require both medical and psychiatric care for services
such as:
- Respiratory conditions
- Antibiotic regiments
- Wound care
- Nutritional and metabolic
disorders
- Other medical
co-morbidities