Overview
The goal of Gero-Psychiatric Services is to prepare seniors with acute severe psychiatric illness to return and thrive in their normal living environment. To accomplish this goal, the program involves family care givers, physicians and other health professionals.
Gero-Psychiatric Services offer ways to identify and treat problems. In addition, caregivers can find new skills and support.
Gero-Psychiatric Services are located on the IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital campus in Muncie. A participating senior will stay at the hospital as a patient and receive quality nursing care.
The typical hospital stay is one to two weeks.
Services Include:
- Complete medical, psychiatric and social evaluations
- Group, individual and family therapy
- Medication evaluation and adjustment
- Medical care and monitoring
- Skill development
- 24-hour nursing care within a hospital environment
Service Team
A qualified multidisciplinary team will serve each senior who participates in Gero-Psychiatric Services. Team members are specially trained senior care professionals.
The team may include the following types of specialists:
- Psychiatrists
- Nursing staff
- Recreation therapists
- Social workers
- Psychologists
- Therapists
- Medical consultations
Evaluation
Each senior who participates in Gero-Psychiatric Services will receive a complete evaluation to determine his or her individual needs. This will include medical, psychiatric, social and other evaluations as needed.
Family Involvement
Family involvement in the treatment program is strongly encouraged. Family members and caregivers provide important information to understand the history and needs of the individual. In addition, they may participate i n counseling sessions, treatment and discharge planning, and will receive education regarding specific problems and medications.
- Therapy and Skill Building
- Group thereapy
- Individual and family therapy
- Coping skills
- Recreation/leisure skills
- Interaction/behavioral skills
Who Can Participate?
Seniors may benefit from Gero-Psychiatric Services if they have experienced a sudden onset of emotional or behavioral problems resulting in depression, thoughts of suicide, confusion, disorientation causing danger to self or others, or an inability to care for self.