Senior Behavioral Health

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To make a referral, please call (866) 480-1023.

The senior behavioral health unit (SBHU) at Moberly Regional Medical Center is a proud provider of inpatient treatment programming for seniors aged 55 and above that treats the whole person. The goal of the SBHU is to offer superior care for seniors who are battling mental health and/or neurocognitive issues that are unique to individuals of advanced age. Our senior behavioral health unit delivers individualized care that strives to meet the needs of each patient. Our services are administered by our qualified staff trained to provide treatment in the most caring manner.

Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment Overview
The senior behavioral health unit at Moberly Regional Medical Center is an acute care, inpatient specialty unit for individuals in need of a highly structured environment with 24/7 observation to:

• Prevent harm to self
• Prevent harm to others
• Prevent harm due to impaired functioning due to serious mental illness or neurocognitive issues
• Control mania or psychosis that can’t be maintained in the individual’s current environment

Conditions we treat:

• Acute or chronic depression or other mood disorders, psychosis, anxiety disorders, dementia with mood and/or behavioral issues
• Adjustment problems related to acute or chronic stress
• Combative, assaultive behavior
• Disorientation and/or confusion severe enough to cause risk to self or others
• Medical review/management for psychiatric symptoms or crisis intervention
• Non-compliance with outpatient treatment
• Persistent sleep or nutrition disturbances
• Suicidal thoughts, attempts or self-destructive behavior

Patients on the Unit
Patients on the unit receive:

• Ongoing medical consultation by a licensed psychiatrist
• Coordination of services by a treatment team of professions led by the attending psychiatrist
• Discharge planning by a master’s prepared social worker
• Group sessions led by licensed counselors and social workers, nurses, activity coordinators, occupational therapists and others

Senior Adult Program & Senior Intensive Treatment Program
For the aging populations, the MRMC SBHU now offers two distinct programs: the Senior Adult program and the Senior Intensive Treatment Program.

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 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 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 have been shown to be highly effective. For those not familiar with person-first, it 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 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 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.

Admission
Admissions for patients 55 years and older are accepted 24 hours per day every day. Anyone can begin a referral to our SBHU including patients themselves, friends and family members, primary care physicians, hospitals and clinics, social services agencies, clergy, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and long term care facilities.

Before admission, we perform a free, confidential screening to ensure the patient is medically stable and meets our unit’s criteria for admission.

Please notify the legal guardian of need for an inpatient psychiatric bed prior to calling. To help us better serve you, please have the following information available when you call:

• Patient’s date of birth
• Insurance information
• Social Security number
• Prescription drug names/dosages
• Pharmacy name/phone number
• Legal guardianship information (if applicable)
• Durable Power of Attorney information (if applicable)
• Psychiatrist name (if applicable)

We will ask the following questions regarding the patient:

• Medical issues
• Safety concerns (reason for admission)
• Appetite/weight gain or loss
• Quality and quantity of sleep
• Personal hygiene
• Mood
• Recent stressors 
• Substance use
• Current living situation
• Current and past verbal/physical aggression

Information for Families and Friends
Please keep in mind we cannot confirm or deny the presence of any patient without their permission in compliance with HIPPA guidelines. Friends and family members approved by the patient will be assigned a code word that has to be given for phone calls or visiting privileges.

Visiting Hours
To schedule a visit, contact (660) 269-3241.

Please leave all belongings in the car because most items are not authorized to be on the unit.