Geropsychiatric Program
The Center for Behavioral Medicine
Trumbull Memorial Hospital
1350 East Market Street
Warren, OH  44482

Philosophy

Integrity in old age can be eroded by multiple physical, social, emotional and mental problems related to the aging process.  These problems are often related to the multiple losses that occur with aging.  The philosophy of the Geropsychiatric Program is to restore the patient to his/her optimum level of health and functioning, to preserve the dignity of the patient and integrity of the family.

The elderly are subject to a host of physical disorders which can take on severe psychological dimensions. Acute diseases can produce severe distortions in thinking and impairment of mental processes.  Some of the problems addressed in treatment include depression, delusions, sleep disorders, confusion, social withdrawal, hallucinations and malnutrition.  Frequently, patients are dealing with grief over the loss of a spouse, contemporaries and/or a job.

When the degenerative process is chronic and irreversible (as in Alzheimer’s Disease), no cure can be found, but the Geropsychiatric Program team treats a frequent accompaniment of the disease, such as depression, anxiety or psychosis.

Comprehensive Evaluation

The patients involved in the Geropsychiatric Program receive a comprehensive evaluation by members of the multi disciplinary team, which include the psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, psychiatric nurses, recreational therapist and activity therapist.  When indicated, other disciplines participate in the multi- disciplinary team and provide needed interventions.  An integral part of the Geropsychiatric Program is to provide a psychiatric/medical model of care by professionals with diagnostic expertise in both physical and mental illnesses.

Treatment

The treatment program for the geropsychiatric patient is a holistic approach, combining integrated medical/psychiatric care within the context of a therapeutic environment.  After the comprehensive evaluation, individual treatment plans are developed and the multi-disciplinary team provides a full array of therapies and interventions including individual, family and group therapy, chemotherapy, expressive therapy, behavioral therapy and patient and family education.  As indicated, other therapeutic modalities will be utilized.

Treatment Goals

The goals of the Geropsychiatric Program include: restoring the patient to optimum mental and physical health; preserving and protect the dignity of the patient; to supporting the integrity of the family; and to helping the patient either enhance or maintain self-care skills.

Referrals

Twenty-four hour emergency admissions are available.  If possible, planned admissions are encouraged to help facilitate a more complete and efficient evaluation of the situation.  Planned admissions enable interviews with family members, nursing homes and community agencies prior to admission so as to make the transition from home to the Geropsychiatric Program an easier one for the patient.  For more information, please call the Geropsychiatric Program at 330-841-9914.