Senior Services

Later life can bring profound changes in physical, social and psychological functioning. For some older adults, these changes can feel overwhelming and can lead to the onset of serious problems in mental health including depression or suicidal thoughts, anxiety, memory problems, disordered thoughts, confusion, agitation, and sleep disturbances.

The senior mental health unit at Adventist Health St. Helena accommodates the special needs of seniors (55 years or older). The special unit offers treatment for older adults facing life transitions, such as losing a loved one, a change in health status or a loss of independence or identity. These life changes can cause depression and anxiety and can cause people to withdraw socially or from favorite activities.

The program is also appropriate for seniors who suffer from long-term psychiatric illnesses — such as major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and related disorders — and are having difficulty managing their symptoms.

Services we offer

Treatment focuses on helping to restore or maintain function while helping to achieve the highest level of independence possible.

Patients will receive:

• Evaluation, medication monitoring and treatment oversight by a psychiatrist
• Cognitive behavioral therapy, including individual and group sessions
• Family counseling, to help caregivers manage the emotional challenges of caring for a loved one
• Stress management and relaxation techniques
• 24-hour behavioral health monitoring and supervision
• Behavioral health diagnostic assessment and evaluation
• Medication stabilization and management
• Individual and group therapy
• Recreational therapy
• Individual and group patient and family education
• Discharge and aftercare planning

Learn more about oursenior inpatient psychiatric service.

A multidisciplinary treatment team

Our multidisciplinary treatment team includes registered nurses, social workers, activity therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, registered nurses, mental health counselors, social workers and expressive art therapists who are all trained on the special behavioral and physical health needs of seniors. Additionally, specialists from a full range of medical subspecialties are available for consultations as needed.

The family’s role

You and the rest of your family are an integral part of the healing team, and we highly encourage your active participation in treatment. A successful return to home and community life requires close collaboration with all the key individuals.

Preparing to go home

When a patient is ready to go home, our team provides support to make the return as easy as possible. We make plans with you to get any ongoing care for when they leave. We also follow up later to ensure the plans made in the hospital are being carried out.