At Newman Memorial Hospital, the newly-opened Senior Life Solutions department provides a solution to an overlooked and under addressed issue. Senior Life Solutions seeks to utilize therapeutic and psychiatric solutions in an outpatient setting for adults over 65. A staff of one psychiatrist, one counselor, one RN program director, and one office/patient coordinator offer much needed care to the underserved older adult population in a rural area. The department helps older adults who are experiencing anxiety and depression or coping with grief. Changes in later life, like loss of a loved one, living condition changes, and caregiver fatigue are all addressed respectfully and compassionately. The facility is a group setting, but patients are also treated on an individual level during therapy sessions, and their treatment plans are furthered by medication education and management and after-care planning. Newman Memorial Hospital received Psychiatric Medical Care’s 2023 “Rookie of the Year” award in recognition of its efforts to address the mental health crisis in older adults.
