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