Houston behavioral health services for seniors

Mental health disorders affect at least 20 percent of individuals ages 65 or older, and the risk for depression in senior adults is four times greater than for the general population. Seniors are also more susceptible to anxiety, grief and memory loss, but medical treatment can help them resume a productive life.

The Senior Program for Behavioral Health is an intensive inpatient program for patients 55-years and older located within the hospital at HCA Houston Healthcare West.

Our unit is led by a board-certified medical director in psychiatry and neurology, with specialty certification in geriatric psychiatry. Patients are cared for by a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, therapists and social workers. This comprehensive circle of care optimizes mental and physical health.

Our team addresses several problems commonly experienced by senior citizens, including:

  • Memory loss/dementia and confusion
  • Grief due to the loss of a spouse, friends or independence
  • Anxiety from fear associated with living alone
  • Difficulty adjusting to a new living arrangement
  • Withdrawal from family and friends
  • Depression and suicidal thoughts
  • Disturbed sleep patterns
  • Poor appetite

Our behavioral health services for seniors

Our senior care program provides a family-based healing atmosphere and a wide range of care and amenities that meets the unique needs of senior patients. These include:

  • Acceptance of medically-complex patients
  • Assessment and treatment planning
  • Specialty physician consultations
  • Psychiatric-trained nurses
  • Coping and living skills
  • Medication management and nutrition guidance
  • Physical and occupational therapies
  • On-site wound care
  • Social work services

Family-based care is an important component of our program. We encourage participation by offering:

  • Weekly meetings with the patient's multidisciplinary team
  • Discharge planning that begins at the moment of admission

Senior behavioral health admissions

People 55-years or older may be referred for care by a healthcare professional or family member, and must exhibit more than one of the following:

  • Severe depression with profound feelings of sadness, hopelessness or emptiness
  • Potential harm to self or others which occurs suddenly and is not typical behavior
  • New onset of psychosis or paranoia
  • Acute exacerbation of chronic psychotic symptoms
  • Need for or changes to psychotherapeutic medication that cannot be safely managed at home
Refer a loved one to our Behavioral Health program. We are available 24/7 at (281) 588-8320.

When you contact us, staff members will ask a series of questions, verify insurance and consult with our medical director. If admission is appropriate, the patient will be asked to go to our emergency room at HCA Houston West for medical clearance.