August 6, 2008 - Williamsburg, Va. - Emotional health and well being are important at every stage of life. For many older adults in our community and across the country, emotional difficulties can present complex challenges for the affected individuals as well as their loved ones.
Symptoms can manifest themselves in many forms, including depression, anxiety, isolation, agitation, confusion and low self esteem among others.
The prevalence of these psychiatric ailments for seniors in the community has led to the opening of a Senior Outpatient Behavioral Health Program on the campus of
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center.
Sentara introduces a new medically supervised outpatient program offering tailored care plans to meet the individual needs of the older adult community who require intense behavioral health support on an outpatient basis. The focus of the Senior Outpatient Behavioral Health Program is to enhance the patient’s skills and resources to foster independence, self confidence and self reliance.
“Our program is able to offer quick access to mental health services for seniors who might otherwise be suffering needlessly,” says Mike Verano, LPC, LMFT, Sentara’s Senior Outpatient Behavior Health Program director. “One of our goals is to use the intensity of our services to decrease the need for inpatient hospitalizations, thereby, allowing our clients to continue to live in their home environments.”
Access to the program requires only a phone call to the office. Physician referral is accepted, but family members and loved ones can also trigger a free assessment by calling the office directly. Dr. Parthiv Sheth serves as the program’s medical director and services are delivered by a multidisciplinary team that includes counselors and technicians, as well.
The program will be available Monday through Friday. Program participants may receive snacks and/or lunch depending on their specific care plan. Transportation is available, if needed, for patients receiving care, so that participants can maintain their current living situation. Services will be delivered out of the program office on the fourth floor of the
Geddy Outpatient Center.
For more information on Sentara’s Senior Behavioral Health Services, call (757)345-4670.
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