The expert medical, psychiatric, clinical and nursing staff will thoroughly evaluate each patient's physical and psychological condition. Based on our findings, we will treat and stabilize all current acute problems. In addition, we will work to provide our patients with an individualized aftercare plan designed to maintain the improvements achieved here. Among the many Areas included in our Aftercare Plan are psychiatric and non-psychiatric medication management, recommendations for psychotherapeutic interventions, information about available community resources, and concrete help with securing public benefits and extended care facilities placement.

The overall structure and orientation of the Program has been specifically designed to meet the needs of the older patient. A Multidisciplinary Treatment Team, trained in the special needs of the geriatric population, is integral to each patient's care. Each patient receives an individualized Treatment Plan, based upon evaluations and assessments from the members of the Treatment Team.

Services Provided:

• Complete psychiatric diagnostic evaluation
• Comprehensive medical and neurological examination
• Laboratory, radiographic, and other appropriate medical tests, including EKG, EEG, etc.
• Individualized treatment plans
• Multidisciplinary treatment of psychiatric symptoms
• Coordination of concurrent medical and psychiatric treatments, including medication management
• Nutritional evaluation and dietary education
• Kosher and all special diets
• Group and individual activities which maximize independent functioning
• Comprehensive discharge planning, including nursing home/extended care facility placement and community resource determination
• 24-hour, seven-day-a-week on-site coverage by internist and a psychiatrist

Patients in all Gracie Square Hospital programs have direct access to the medical and surgical specialists at The New York Presbyterian Hospital

Diagnoses Treated:
While all psychiatric diagnoses are accepted for treatment, the most common disorders in the program are the dementias- vascular and Alzheimer types. Concomitant symptoms of agitation, psychoses and depression are addressed in the context of the severe memory loss and other significant cognitive and behavioral disabilities secondary to dementia. Other factors affecting treatment are cultural considerations, language barriers and physical debilitations.

Special Medical Needs:
The safe and effective use of medication in this Program usually requires lower dosing at a slower rate to accommodate the increased sensitivity of the patients. In addition, the physicians on this Unit are aware that many of these individuals are being treated concurrently with other medications for medical illnesses associated with aging and are attentive to drug interactions. Comprehensive education about the use of medication is provided to patients. Their family members, and caregivers.

Treatment Modalities:
Available treatment modalities include medication, group therapy, milieu therapy and individual therapy, which may be supportive, behavioral, insight-oriented or some combination of these. Family education and interventions are provided when appropriate.

Discharge Planning:
All patients remain in the hospital until medically and psychiatrically stable. Social workers provide discharge planning for each patient that includes an assessment of needs, referral for aftercare, and information about appropriate community resources. Special needs for patients in this program include arranging for legal guardians, securing benefits, and placement in nursing homes and extended care facilities. Social workers work with patients' families to obtain secure placement that is mutually acceptable.