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The decision to hospitalize yourself or an older loved one facing emotional problems can be difficult. Of course, you want the hospital to provide the best psychiatric care. But you also want a facility that’s designed to meet the individual needs of seniors -- one that puts a premium on comfort and safety, and one where every medical need can be addressed.
Saint Louis University Hospital designed its newly renovated Geriatric Psychiatry Unit in direct response to the emotional needs of older adults. By providing a hospital wing for patients who have difficulty with memory, cognition and severe behavioral disorders separate from those with problems such as late-life depression and mood disorders, we can better consider each patient’s personal set of circumstances.
When Life Throws a Few Too Many Curves
Older adults can become overwhelmed by major life changes. Retirement, the death of a spouse, illness, even children growing up and leaving can trigger depression and mood or anxiety disorders that become serious enough for hospitalization. In addition to evaluation, the latest treatment and intensive therapy, these patients need comfort, quiet and the supportive environment of a hospital.
At SLU Hospital, older patients admitted to our Geriatric Psychiatry Unit receive care in a comfortable, home-like setting. Private rooms and cozy sitting areas blend with common rooms that encourage social interaction. Our goal is to provide a safe and healthy environment that nurtures the healing process. Together with patients and their families, we help build on each person’s current abilities and strengths to establish new behaviors.
Focused on restoring the older patient to good mental health and activities of daily living, our individualized, multidisciplinary evaluations and treatment plans include:
- formal, comprehensive evaluation and medical management
coordinated by a board-certified physician specializing
in geriatric psychiatry, a fellow and a resident physician.
- pharmacotherapy
- individual and group therapy to improve coping,
concentration and cognition skills
- family therapy
- activities therapy
- patient and family education
- occupational therapy and physical therapy
- neuropsychological and behavioral therapy consultation
- social work assistance in planning appropriate outpatient
treatments
In this environment, medications and other treatments can be administered with skill and compassion.
When Dementia Takes Hold
Patients suffering from dementing illness such as Alzheimer’s Disease, often require an environment that puts a premium on security and safety without unnecessary restraint. That’s why the SLU Hospital Geriatric Psychiatry Unit physically separates these patients onto an area that includes:
- large and specially appointed private rooms
- specially designed wandering areas
- dining facilities and common areas that allow for close
observation by the nursing staff
- appropriate lighting to minimize agitation
Access to Nationally Ranked Specialists and Some of the Latest Treatments
Every patient treated on the SLU Hospital Geriatric Psychiatry Unit has full access to the SLUCare geriatric medicine and psychiatry specialists ranked among the best in the nation by U.S.News & World Report, along with other nationally ranked medical and surgical specialists.
As the teaching facility for the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, SLU Hospital provides an advanced setting for clinical trial programs that study medications for specific disorders. That means our patients may be among the first to have access to new treatments.
Because we base all our therapy on a philosophy of holistic health care, we often augment our treatments with non-medical approaches. The SLU Hospital Pet Therapy Program, for example, puts geriatric psychiatry patients in contact with specially trained therapy dogs. Studies show that pet therapy may help lower blood pressure, decrease depression, improve communication skills and generally improve patient condition.
Comprehensive Follow-up
The Geriatric Psychiatry treatment team at SLU Hospital works closely with referring physicians to assist each older patient and his/her family in developing the multiple components of a plan for positive aging that encourages individual hopes and human growth. A comprehensive discharge plan, created upon admission, ensures the patient’s follow-up care. Depending on the patient’s needs, our team can act as a liaison between families, physicians and other care facilities.
Easy Access
The Geriatric Psychiatry Unit is located on the second floor of the Saint Louis University Hospital West Pavilion, 3655 Vista, adjacent to the hospital. Patients and their visitors are welcome to use the hospital garage and can have their parking tickets validated in the Guest Services desk in the front lobby of the hospital.
For More Information
To discuss admission or for more information on the Geriatric Psychiatry Unit at Saint Louis University Hospital, call (314) 580-2300.
George T. Grossberg, MD
The Samuel W. Fordyce Professor,
Director of Geriatric Psychiatry, Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Dr. Grossberg is a former president of the American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry. He has been a leader in developing mental health programs, treatment and research in geriatrics. Dr. Grossberg has edited four textbooks and contributed hundreds of articles, chapters and abstracts to the geriatric literature. Dr. Grossberg is a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry in developing protocols for central nervous system disorders in the elderly.
Philip J. LeFevre, MD
Director, Geriatric Psychiatry Unit
Dr. LeFevre is an associate professor of psychiatry at Saint Louis University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry. He is board certified in general and geriatric psychiatry and is a Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Dr. LeFevre’s major area of expertise is ECT and geriatric psychiatry. His clinical interests include research efficacy of drugs in Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia and depression.
Saint Louis University Hospital
West Pavilion
3655 Vista Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
(314) 580-2300
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