Unity Hospital opens new geriatric psychiatry unit
FRIDLEY, Minn. 02/20/2008--Unity Hospital has opened a new geriatric psychiatry unit designed to meet the growing demand for acute mental health services throughout the state. The 15-bed inpatient unit was created to meet the growing demand in the community; senior citizens are the fastest growing segment of the population.
The new unit centralizes the hospital's geriatric mental health services while allowing space for future growth. The center includes state-of-the-art private beds designed for the specific needs for mental health patients, their families and the staff who care for them. It is designed to provide a safe and supportive therapeutic milieu in which a multidisciplinary team of clinicians conduct a comprehensive mental, cognitive and medical assessment and develop a customized treatment plan.
"This has been a rare opportunity to go beyond designing a new unit, and closely examine the future health care needs of the northwest metro community," said Rickie Ressler, president, Unity Hospital. "As this population ages, we need to be ready for the psychological changes that accompany them. They deserve the same quality of treatment as a newborn or someone who is middle aged. They've contributed a lot to this community, and it's the least we can do to ensure they maintain their vitality, wisdom and quality of life. We are honored to provide this service."
"As a health care system committed to mental health, it's important to have a facility that provides a collaborative healing environment for patients and their families," said Penny Wheeler, MD, chief medical officer, Allina Hospitals & Clinics. "This new service is an important part of our mission and values. This program combines the best in personalized patient care with sophisticated talent in mental health. We feel it's imperative we advance the treatment of geriatric psychiatry in the Twin Cities."
Depression in the elderly
Chronic depression can be as detrimental to the elderly as heart disease, cancer or high blood pressure. Untreated depression in the elderly can be physically debilitating and lead to medical complications, such as infection and malnutrition. Depression also delays recovery from illnesses such as stroke and heart disease.
Patient criteria
The types of patients being admitted to the geriatric psychiatry unit are those who are over age 65 and have these symptoms:
- psychiatric symptoms who can be expected to benefit from inpatient psychiatric intervention
- suicidal or have suicidal intent
- expressing or demonstrating assaultive or uncontrolled behaviors
- patients with acute dementia or an acute exacerbation of Alzheimer's disease
- seniors who may present as a potential or actual threat to themselves, others or property.
About Unity Hospital
Unity Hospital, located in Fridley, is a 274-bed non-profit hospital that serves the northwestern Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. The hospital, which is part of Allina Hospitals & Clinics, cared for more than 120,000 patients in 2007.
About Allina Hospitals & Clinics
Allina Hospitals & Clinics is a not-for-profit system of hospitals, clinics and other health care services, providing care throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Allina owns and operates 11 hospitals, 65 clinics, home care and hospice services, oxygen and equipment, pharmacies, and emergency medical transportation services. Allina Hospitals & Clinics and the latest health information can be found online at www.allina.com.
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Related Links
Allina Mental Health's Geriatric Psychiatry Program
Depression - elderly
Depression inventory
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