Traditions, an inpatient geriatric behavioral health program, opened recently at Davis Regional Medical Center. The 12-bed unit offers treatment for acute and chronic depressive illness for patients 65 years and older. Patients receive an individually tailored treatment plan to stabilize acute psychiatric and behavioral symptoms and/or crises via individual and group therapy.
Patients accepted into the program may be suffering from acute and chronic depressive illness, suicide risk, severe anxiety, stress-related problems, delusion, or social withdrawal. Additional conditions treated include sudden and unexplained changes in behavior as well as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia with a concurrent psychiatric problem.
Treatment methods offered consist of crisis intervention, evaluation of disturbed behaviors/thoughts/mental status, stabilization of deteriorating psychosocial function, protection from self harm, medication support services, triage to levels of psychiatric care when appropriate, and discharge planning/referral for continuation of care and full reintegration to home or community.
Patient conditions not appropriate for the program are issues that can be addressed in an outpatient setting, anyone needing custodial care/residential care only, patients whose primary focus of treatment is medical rather than psychiatric, or initiation or re-initiation of a drug regime.
Dr. Obi Ikwechegh, board certified psychiatrist, was named the medical director, and Alan Dodson, was named program director. Assisting them with the program are experienced psychiatric registered nurses, a licensed therapist, an activities therapist, and certified nursing assistants. An Open House was held recently for the public to tour and learn more about the unit.
For additional information on the program, please contact Alan Dodson, Davis Regional Behavioral Health Program Director, at 704-838-7403.