a monthly look at the senior behavioral health unit at ...... · geriatric psychiatry’s goal is...
TRANSCRIPT
Issue
3
New Programming
SBHU
in this issue >>>
current topics >>>
What Does Dementia
Feel Like?
Senior Adult Program & Senior Intensive Treatment Program
What does dementia feel like?
New programming
Geriatric psychiatry
Sensory rooms
Ask the Experts
“Imagine you're walking across an alien
landscape where nothing is familiar.
You spot no landmarks; see no recognizable
faces—even the sounds you hear are
completely foreign.
Alone, confused and frustrated, you sink to the
ground and stare at the confusing panorama,
unsure of what to do next.” – Ann Marie
Botek
For the aging populations, the MRMC Senior Behavioral Health Unit now offers
two distinct programs; the Senior Adult program and the Senior Intensive
Treatment Program.
Every day is different. Some days it feels like
Alzheimer’s has never entered my life and
some parts of some days are like this too.
On bad days, it’s like a fog descends on the
brain and confusion reigns from the minute I
wake up. On these days it feels like there’s so
little in the brain left to help you get through
the day.
The Senior Adult Program is designed for
those who have a high degree of functioning
prior to the onset of psychiatric symptoms.
Our treatment program focus is on recovery .
is an objective way of acknowledging,
communicating, and reporting on
disabilities. By placing the person first, the
disability is no longer the primary, defining
characteristic of.
has demonstrated the value of psychosocial
interventions that can improve the long-term
outcome for people with serious mental
illness (SMI). When these interventions are
combined with our orientation that is person-
first and presumes recovery and return to a
satisfying life are possible, the treatments has
been shown to be highly effective. For those
not familiar with person-first, it
an average of 10-15 days.
Patients in the program participate in
Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) and
activity groups designed to increase
psychomotor activity. CST, a brief, evidence-
based, group therapy for people with mild to
moderate dementia, is a therapy designed to
increase cognitive function and the life
satisfaction of individuals with dementia.
in a relatively short stay.
Patients in the Senior Adult
Program participate in group
psychotherapy, individual
psychotherapy if recommended,
and therapeutic activities such as
music, art and exercise. An
expanding body of evidence
characteristic of the individual,
but one of several aspects of
the whole person.
The Senior Intensive Treatment
Program is designed for
patients who are in need of a
more specialized course of
treatment and typically stay an
average of
For the aging
population, The Senior
Behavioral Health Unit
now offers two distinct
treatment programs
on A Monthly Look at The Senior Behavioral Health Unit at Moberly Regional Medical Center
Continued pg 4
Making the Referral…
No, and no. Geriatric psychiatry’s goal is to maximize
quality of life and functionality for the older
patient. Geriatric psychiatrists evaluate,
diagnose and treat mental and cognitive
health issues in older adults such as
depression, anxiety and dementia. Geriatric
psychiatry brings the
challenge of integrating the
knowledge of psychiatry,
neurology and medicine that
is critical to understanding the
mental and cognitive health
problems of the older patient.
For example, symptoms
FYI >>>
Sensory room coming to SBHU
SBHU attempts to make the referral process
as easy as possible. The initial step is to
contact the unit at 660-269-3028.
What is geriatric
psychiatry? Is it an older
psychiatrist who is ready to
be put out to pasture? A
doctor with a cozy couch so
elderly patients can talk
about their mothers?
Simply tell SBHU staff the circumstances
relative to your referral. You will be asked
to fax your resident’s medical information
to 660-269-3199. Our psychiatrists are on
call 24 hours per day to make a decision
regarding your referral in a timely manner.
As understanding of Alzheimer’s
disease and other forms of
dementia progresses, new
treatments and ways to live with
the disease are evolving, as well.
One memory care development is
the sensory room for dementia,
which allows people living with
dementia to safely explore and
stimulate the senses.
Depending on the needs of the
person with dementia, sensory
rooms focus on calming or
stimulating via gentle light,
movement, music and physical
objects. The benefits of sensory
rooms are several-fold. They
boost comfort and a sense of
well-being, relieve stress and pain
and maximize the ability to focus,
says Dr. Anke Jakob, a researcher
at London’s Kingston University.
These benefits go on to enhance
communication and memory.
And in the world of medicine >>>
Geriatic Psychiatrists
of depression can be triggered by life events
(like loss of a spouse or a move), stroke
(which can interrupt the pathways that impact
mood and behavior), medical issues like
anemia and thyroid problems (both of which
can cause extreme fatigue and affect
motivation) and medication side effects.
Each patient's issues are different.
Geriatric psychiatrists tailor treatment
to the older adult and their particular
circumstances.
Whether or not they have previously
experienced mental or cognitive health
issues, the common feature of older
patients is a lifetime of accumulated
experience. So with help, they can
adapt to change and improve their level
of functioning and life satisfaction.
Such spaces have historically been geared more
towards those with learning or physical disabilities,
but sensory rooms have been proven to also support
those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other
forms of dementia.
SBHU is in the process of equiping a new sensory
room in an effort to calm agitated patients leading to
a reduction of PRN medication usage. The sensory
room is scheduled to open by July 1, 2018. Stop by
any time after July 1st to get a glimpse of our room.
Patient Satisfaction with Psychiatric Hospitalization
ask the experts >>>
Should I refer this resident? If you are unsure if your resident
qualifies for inpatient hospitalization, please call
and we will walk you through the criteria.
SBHU would like to invite you for a tour of the unit and lunch on us.
If you are interested, please
call Leigh Terrell at
660-269-3028.
Psychiatric hospitals vary in their environment, staffing, and with treatment programming. Research
has shown that patients rate the various therapeutic relationships (psychiatrists, nurses, therapists) of
the highest importance with regards to their satisfaction with a particular psychiatric unit along with
respect for their rights and privileges.
Patients rated other items as significantly
important when analysed separately, such
as confidentiality, rules about visitation or
telephone calls, information about the
effects and side-effects of medication,
effectiveness of medication, and
participation in medication decisions.
Areas relating to more general
environmental factors (such as
friendliness) and the ‘hotel factor’
(accomodation, food service, and some
aspects of leisure activities) received an
average rating.
Our experienced, interdisciplinary team,
led by our medical director Sarmistha
Bhalla, M.D., includes psychiatrists,
psychiatric nurses, social workers,
professional counselors and activity
coordinators who are respectful,
supportive, and compassionate.
Additionally, our residents are treated
by physical therapists and occupational
therapists as needed.
Although the upmost care has been
directed toward the providing the safest
possible environment for of our
patients, the unit is nicely appointed
with a pleasant feel. We provide daily
programming lead by mental health
therapists, activity coordinators and
occupational therapists. The hospital’s
dietary department and pharmacy also
lead weekly groups. Our psychiatrists
are receptive to our patient’s input and
strongly consider their desires and
feedback when making treatment
decisions. Our goal is to provide an
individualized treatment program that
allows each patient to return to the best
possible level of functioning.
The decision to make a referral is not always clear. SBHU staff is always available to
answer any questions you have about admission criteria and/or the referral process. Call
660-269-3028 - 24/7/365 for assistance.
The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the
nation’s largest event to raise
awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s
care, support and research. Since
1989, this all-age, all-ability walk has
mobilized millions to join the fight
against Alzheimer’s disease, raising
more than $400 million for the cause.
Look for walk in your area in
September to participate.
Q: A:
SBHU’s Director of Behavioral
Health and Activity Coordinator will
be attending the Geriatric Summer
Institute at St Louis University June
4th – 6th. The training on the 6th is
totally devoted to Cognitive
Stimulation Therapy training.
Be sure to check out July’s newsletter
for information gleened from the
Summer Institute. More to come.
Geriatric Summer Institute
Walk to End Alzheimers 2018
Finding An Agent That’s Right For You
The feeling of confusion is also heightened on
some days. I have to really work hard at
remembering the day of the week and what
I’m suppose to be doing. This feeling I can
liken to a necklace being all tangled up and
having to sit there and untangle the knots.If
you’re feeling calm, you sit there patiently and
one by one untangle the necklace and work out
the reality of the day. If panic rises, it’s like
when you’re impatient with the necklace and
give in and feel like you’ve lost the use of the
necklace. Panic rises inside you and you find
it impossible to work out what day it is and
what you’re suppose to do. On these occasions
it can feel like your head wants to explode as
you feel out of control.
I feel lucky, in so far as I can relax and chill
quite easily. I can stay calm and not panic
usually. My way of dealing with these
moments is to tell myself it’s the disease and
the fog will clear eventually, so I’ll just sit
quietly and wait. It’s a bit like a games of
chess – you sit waiting for your opponent to
play and then try and outmaneuver……
1515 Union Avenue
Moberly, MO 65270
Not being able to find the right words is a
daily occurrence. I use to get frustrated and
annoyed at this. But I’ve found it makes the
disease seem so much worse if you let it get
to you like this. If I’m giving a talk, I plan
meticulously and have everything written
down. I read and re read my notes in the hope
that something will remain in situ and where
once I would try and wing it, I now never
would. If I forget people’s names, it is
annoying but I now think, ‘what does it
matter’ and simply ask them again, and
again……and hope they understand. If they
don’t understand it’s their problem not mine.
If they can’t see beyond the disease they are
very shallow.
If someone newly diagnosed asked me what
advice I would give them it would be not to
panic at the diagnosis. Don’t give in. Adapt
and find new ways to compensate for the parts
of you that don’t function as they use to. See
it as a challenge to outmaneuver this cruel
disease. Easy to say when faced with the
diagnosis, but the only way I’ve found to cope
with today and tomorrow.
coming soon >>>
In The Next Issue
Geriatric Summer Institute
Person-centered care
Free depression & anxiety screenings
A day in the life…
Wrinkles merely mark where smiles have been – Mark Twain
thoughts... final
Contact us at 555-543-5432
What Does Dementia Feel Like?
Continued from pg 1
Reminiscence Therapy
When a person has Alzheimer’s Disease or
dementia, it is most often the short-term
memory that is affected first. They are able to
recall memories from long ago, which can
make reminiscence therapy very effective in
bringing joy to this group of seniors.
The idea behind reminiscence therapy is to help
seniors feel valued, loved and content. Even if
they can’t recall a lot of recent memories, they
can often experience joy when talking about
memories from years past.
Here’s how:
1. Listen to music they love together.
2. Go through old picture albums or
memory boxes.
3. Cook meals they love or bring back
familiar smells in some manner.
4. Stimulate their sense of taste.
5. Try doing crafts that involve your
hands.
TO MAKE A REFERRAL TO SBHU
CALL
660-269-3028 FAX 660-269-3199