Hospital Gains State Approval To Open Behavioral Health Facility For The Elderly

ROME – Rome Memorial Hospital opened an 11-bed senior behavioral health unit in December to treat seniors suffering from mental health disorders, such as depression, announced Darlene Burns, senior vice president/chief operating officer.

"There was a lack of specialized mental health services for people 65 and older in our region," said Mrs. Burns. "In our Emergency Department, we were seeing about 500 people a year with late-onset symptoms of mental illness, but there were limited resources in the community to help them."

To open the new facility, the hospital had to demonstrate need and gain approval from both the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Office of Mental Health. Approval was granted in December.

Located on the hospital’s second floor, the senior behavioral health unit is a secured therapeutic environment that provides short-term treatment for patients who are exhibiting behaviors that could harm themselves or others.

It is staffed by a program director, a social worker, a recreational therapist, registered and licensed practical nurses, a geriatrician, and a psychiatrist, who is the medical director. On average, patients participate in about five hours of treatment groups and activities per day for 12 to 14 days.

Approximately 20 percent of people 65 and older experience mental health disorders that are not part of normal aging, according to national statistics. Suicide success rates are highest among older adults, particularly those 85 and older.

"Mental health problems in the elderly are further complicated by the high incidence of chronic disease," Mrs. Burns said. "By opening a dedicated senior behavioral health unit, we are able to treat both their medical and mental illness. It’s also a safer environment for frail elderly than a facility with mixed ages. The staff is specially trained in the needs of the elderly."

In the elderly, some of the common symptoms of a mental health disorder include severe hopelessness and/or helplessness; suicidal thoughts or behavior, assaultive behavior, depression/confusion, sleep or eating disturbances, severe agitation/aggressiveness, and acute changes in mental status.

In a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, researchers conducted an 18-month study of the benefits of short-term psychiatric hospitalization of older nursing home residents.

The study found significant decreases in general psychiatric symptoms, depression and agitation; significant improvement in global functioning with no significant changes in cognitive status or side effects; and decreases in violence, psychosis, and depression.

"Our seniors do not have to accept a life of depression in their later years," said Mrs. Burns. "Many people think depression is just a normal part of the aging process, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s one of the many conditions that can be treated by mental health professionals."

The senior behavioral health unit can take admissions seven days a week, 24 hours a day to meet the needs of seniors in crisis. For more information, please call 338-7165.