The Northwest Hospital Geropsychiatric Center’s Outpatient Program is an intensive, short-term day program for adults 60 years and older. It is designed to treat individuals while living in their own residence. Individuals eligible for this service usually experience:

• Depression
• Anxiety or excessive worry
• Frequent physical complaints
• Thoughts of suicide
• Loss of interest in regular activities
• Changes in sleeping patterns
• Decline in ability to care for self or home
• Isolation and withdrawal from friends and family
• Inability to concentrate, sudden decrease in intellectual functioning
• Expressed feelings of helplessness and/or hopelessness
• Abuse of drugs, medications or alcohol
• Decrease in energy level
• Increased or decreased appetite
• Extended and extreme grief over a loss

The above symptoms are often accompanied by an overall decline in daily routine and activities.

Patients participate in three daily groups usually run by two social workers. The groups focus on

• Education about mood disturbances
• Learning and practicing coping skills
• Developing a plan for managing symptoms

Participants also work individually with one of the therapists to develop a personalized treatment plan. The therapist also interacts with family members, may hold family conferences when appropriate and assists in setting up aftercare.

Program participants see the psychiatrist at least once a week depending on acuity and need for medication management. The psychiatrist works closely with the patient’s primary care physician and/or other treatment providers to assure open communication and continuity of care. The psychiatrist can also provide screening for dementia or other cognitive deficits and may make a referral for neuropsychological testing that can be done on site.

Transportation can be coordinated via taxi to patients in Northwest Hospital’s primary service area.