Geriatric Inpatient Behavioral Health
Arrowhead provides an expert level of care designed for seniors suffering from a variety of mental health and behavioral issues oftentimes resulting from Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias. Treatment teams consisting of Psychiatrists, Master’s Level Social Worker, Nurses and Mental Health professionals assess patients on a daily basis to meet the complex needs of senior patients. The goal of the program is to provide stabilization of mental health and behavioral symptoms for a greater quality of life.
Treatment is provided for individuals with the following conditions/symptoms:
- Suicidal Thoughts
- Confusion
- Grief
- Depression
- Isolation
- Detoxification from alcohol or other addictive drugs
- Agitation
- Irritability
- Severe Sleep Disturbance
- Non-Compliant with Medications
- Socially Withdrawn
- Physically Withdrawn
- Behavioral issues resulting from Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias
Desired Outcomes Resulting From a Typical Hospital Stay
The primary treatment objectives for the patient are:
- Stabilization of acute episodes of psychosis or situational crisis
- Stabilization of any mental status symptom which has restorative potential such as agitation, sleep, appetite, etc
- Identification and elimination of immediate risk factors
Additional treatment objectives geared towards the family and primary caregiver include:
- Understand the nature and progression of the patient’s condition
- Objectively determine the extent of structure and supervision to safely maintain the patient in the home environment
- Acquire skills necessary to communicate effectively with a demented loved one and promote reality testing
- Understand how to acquire necessary social services to assist in maintaining the patient in a home setting
Frequently Asked Questions
Arrowhead Behavioral Health’s Geriatric Psychiatric Unit provides inpatient care at the most intensive and comprehensive level to assist persons who are in a crisis situation. Here are some frequently asked questions for our patients, families and their loved ones:
Q . What types of services does Arrowhead Behavioral Health provide for older adults?
A. Arrowhead Behavioral Health provides short term crisis stabilization for older adults who may be experiencing a variety of emotional and behavioral issues. An comprehensive treatment team consisting of Psychiatrists, Medical Physicians, RNs, LPNs, Master’s-Level Social Workers, Discharge Planners and Recreational Therapists all work collectively to meet the delicate needs of our Geriatric Patients who may be suffering from a variety of conditions and/or symptoms such as suicidal thoughts and behaviors, confusion, grief/loss, depression isolation, detoxification from alcohol or other addictive drugs, agitation, irritability, severe sleep disturbance, non-compliance with medications, socially/physically withdrawn, and behavioral issues resulting from Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias.
Q. Who will be providing direct care to the patients?
A. Arrowhead Behavioral Health has a highly-qualified team of individuals who provide direct care to our patients. This team includes Psychiatrists who oversee the treatment team and provide medication management to meet the complex needs of older adults, Family Practice Physicians who provide medical intervention, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Master’s Level Social Workers, Recreational Therapists, Mental Health Professionals and STNA’s who all provide direct care and management of services.
Q. Are the doors to the units locked?
A. Yes, the doors to the units are locked for continual monitoring and safety of our patients. Additionally, the units meet specific safety requirements by The Ohio Department of Mental Health, The Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services and The Joint Commission in order to provide utmost safety.
Q. Are there televisions or telephones in the rooms?
A. There are no televisions or telephones located in patient rooms. There are however, both a television and telephone located in the Day Rooms on the units. Arrowhead Staff can assist a patient with making a phone call if they require assistance. Additionally, personal electronic devices are not allowed. Arrowhead staff provides continuous monitoring and patient engagement to promote patients involvement in treatment.
Q. What kind of clothing should I wear on the unit?
Patients should wear comfortable street clothes during the day and at night. Patients should wear what they normally would throughout the day and night at their homes and when they go to bed.
Q. How long is treatment at the hospital?
Typically, patients are in treatment for approximately 10 days. A stay may be shorter or longer depending on each patient’s progress and respective needs.
Q. Can patients leave anytime they want to?
Arrowhead Behavioral Health operates on a voluntary admission status, so patients, the patient’s Guardian or their Medical or Durable Power of Attorney must sign in on a voluntarybasis. There are instances in which a patient is deemed unsafe to discharge by the physician and treatment team. If the physician believes that the patient is of danger to self or others, he or she can order that the patient be held for 72 hours. Patients who wish to leave against medical advice, but are not deemed as a harm to self or others, will sign out AMA (Against Medical Advice) with physician agreement. This may have repercussions such as insurance refusal to pay. It is not recommended for a patient to leave before their recommended discharge date.
Q. Does Arrowhead Behavioral Health allow visitors?
A. Arrowhead Behavioral Health offers visiting hours 7 days a week from 1:00-2:15pm daily on the geriatric unit. Alternate visiting hours are available by request to the Inpatient Therapist at 419-891-9333. We limit the number of visitors that you can receive at any time to two. No children under the age of 18 are allowed for visitation.
Q. How can information be obtained on my loved one’s progress?
A. Arrowhead Behavioral Health strictly follows the HIPAA Guidelines. A release of information must be signed by the patient or their Guardian, Durable Power of Attorney or Medical Power of Attorney prior to any information being given to an individual. If those releases are signed, then you may call the Inpatient Therapist, Nurse or Physician to obtain information. If there is no release of information, by law, information cannot be given out.
Q. Family Education/Family Sessions
A. Arrowhead Behavioral Health encourages family involvement. If you wish to have a family session meeting with the Physician or Inpatient Therapist, please notify the Inpatient Therapistat 419-891-9333.
Q. How does discharge planning work?
A. When patients are admitted to Arrowhead Behavioral Health, discharge planning begins at admission. The Physician, Treatment Team, Patient and/or Guardian and Durable/Medical Power of Attorney will make decisions on what type of care is appropriate following discharge.It is important for this to be discussed early on in a patient’s stay to ensure ease of transition following discharge. The Geriatric Social Worker can assist in arranging for appropriate placement for Skilled Nursing Care, Long Term Care, Home Health Care, etc. The Social Worker can also assist in linking patients up with Community Agencies such as PASSPORT, Area Office on Aging, The Alzheimer’s Association, Adult Day Care and/or Respite Care.
