Older Adult Behavioral Health Unit

Contact Us

For more information about or to make a referral to the Older Adult Behavioral Health Unit at St. Luke's, call 484-602-2733.

The Older Adult Behavioral Health Unit at St. Luke's Sacred Heart & Gnaden Huetten Campuses treats adults 55 years of age and over in a secure and intimate setting created to address the unique behavioral health needs of older adults.

Our unit is distinguished by our interdisciplinary treatment team, which includes:

• A psychiatrist with special training in treating geriatric patients
• Nurses
• Mental health technicians
• Case managers
• Activity therapists

This team will collaborate with other St. Luke's medical team members as needed throughout treatment. The conditions of our patients are addressed with skill and compassion. Family members are welcome to contact the St. Luke's Behavioral Health Team with any questions or concerns during the treatment of their loved ones. Our patients benefit from a newly designed unit that provides a tranquil environment.

Treatment

Admission to St. Luke's Older Adult Behavioral Health Unit, an inpatient unit, provides personalized treatment for mental illness. Our program's aim is to provide comprehensive, individualized treatment options to older adults with long-standing or newly diagnosed mental illnesses. Each treatment program is tailored to the patient's unique needs, combining the medical and psychosocial aspects of treatment for the best outcome. Each patient is closely monitored, carefully assessed and provided with a supportive, structured environment 24-hours-a-day.

The goal of our treatment plan is to return our patients to their best possible level of health so they may function in a way that improves quality of life and return to a stable outside environment.

Our Services

Changes in behavior, mood or routine may be an indicator that a psychiatric condition is present. Symptoms may interfere with care at home or in a community setting. Some (but not all) of the symptoms that we treat are:

• Confused thinking
• Prolonged depression (sadness or irritability)
• Feelings of extreme highs and lows
• Excessive fears, worries and anxieties
• Social withdrawal
• Dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits
• Strong feelings of anger
• Delusions or hallucinations
• Growing inability to cope with daily problems and activities
• Suicidal thoughts
• Denial of obvious problems
• Numerous unexplained physical ailments
• Substance abuse

Making the decision to address someone's change in mental status can be extremely difficult. St. Luke's University Health Network's behavioral health experts are here to help. We offer a multitude of services, including but not limited to:

• Psychiatric evaluation and treatment
• Medical evaluation and management
• Medication management
• Recreation therapy
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Electroshock Therapy (ECT)
• Patient and family education
• Nutrition consultation and education
• Neurology consultation
• Pharmacy consultation
• Medical and surgical subspecialty consultation
• Neuropsychology consultation
• Individual and group therapy
• Discharge/aftercare planning