Senior Behavioral Health Services
Holistic Treatment for the Mind & Body
Sometimes, mental health issues in senior adults go unnoticed or undiagnosed. Accurate diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions can greatly enhance the quality of life.
At Sherman Oaks Hospital, we have established a specialized 19-bed inpatient unit designed specifically to focus on senior behavioral health, an area of medicine that addresses the unique emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs of adults ages 50 and older. Our program is designed to improve day-to-day functioning, leading to improved health and a higher quality of life.
Our team is comprised of experienced and compassionate healthcare professionals who are devoted to providing the care and emotional support these patients and families need.
A Team Approach
Several factors can impact a person’s mental health. Treatment is provided by our highly qualified, trained, multidisciplinary team of experts with extensive backgrounds in:
- Psychiatry
- Social work
- Nursing
- Recreation therapy
- Hospital medicine
Services
The senior behavioral health unit at our medical center offers the following services:
- Psychiatric assessment and treatment
- Recreational therapy assessment and treatment
- Management of medical conditions
- 24-hour clinical nursing team
- Crisis stabilization 24 hours / 7 days a week
- Specialized individual, family, and group therapy
- Education for patients and families on diagnosis, treatment options, and medications
- Medication management
- Dietary and nutrition consultation
- Case management with discharge planning and financial counseling
Mental Health Conditions
The highly qualified staff at our facility is trained to diagnose and treat a variety of mental health issues. Our goal is to help patients attain an optimal level of functionality to improve the quality of their lives in a safe, secure environment.
We can help seniors who are showing the following symptoms:
- Anxiety or depression
- Suicidal or homicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Difficulty sleeping
- Significant changes in appetite or energy levels
- Overwhelming feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or guilt
- Feelings of restlessness, panic, or impending doom
- Loss of interest in enjoyable activities
- Psychosis
- Paranoia
- Inability to accept or adjust to loss
- Seeing, smelling, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- Making unrealistic accusations
- Combative or violent behavior
- Impaired judgement
- Phobias, especially if they hinder daily life
- Severe mood swings or a mood disorder
Treatment Plan
Each patient we see will receive an individual assessment and treatment plan in accordance with their specific mental and behavioral needs. We offer both individual and group therapy, planned activities, as well as family support provided by our skilled behavioral experts. Our goal is to create an effective plan that will lead each patient on the road to recovery. We will also make a discharge plan in order to facilitate a healthy mind and body lifestyle at home.
Admission Process
Admissions for patients 50 years and older are accepted 24 hours a day, every day. Anyone can begin a referral to our Senior Behavioral Health unit, including the patients themselves, friends and family members, primary care physicians, hospitals and clinics, social service agencies, clergy, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and long-term care facilities.
Before admission, we perform a free, confidential comprehensive screening to ensure that the patient is medically stable and meets our unit’s criterial for admission.
As a hospital-based program, we can accept patients who have a psychiatric diagnosis along with chronic medical conditions. Services are covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare and commercial payers.
For admission information or to refer a patient, please call 866-964-9221
