Senior Care

We all hope our family members will enjoy "the golden years." But, as individuals age, they experience the loss of loved ones, and the stress that goes with losing physical and mental abilities. A changing lifestyle and increased physical challenges can lead to sadness and withdrawal. However, persistent personality changes or unusual behavior may indicate your loved one is suffering from a mental illness, such as depression. Depression and other emotional illnesses are a significant problem for older adults.

Signs and symptoms that a loved one may be experiencing an emotional illness include confusion, poor appetite, social isolation or suicidal tendencies. These symptoms are not normal at any age and should be considered an illness in the elderly. Most depression and other emotional illnesses in older people are treatable, especially if dealt with early.

The CHI Health Immanuel Heritage Center provides the region's most comprehensive range of mental health services in a caring, supportive environment specially designed to meet the emotional needs of people 55 years of age and older. The Immanuel Heritage Center provides these services through two programs --- the Inpatient Services Program and the Partial Hospitalization Program. Both programs are designed to help senior patients and their families to maintain or restore as much of their personal independence as possible.

Assessment

All professional services begin with a thorough assessment to determine the types of behavioral services that may be required. We can assist you in choosing the type of programs that best meet your needs. A professional assessment to determine what services are needed may be requested by calling (402) 717-HOPE (4673).

Staff

CHI Health Behavioral Care's multidisciplinary team is a highly trained group of behavioral care professionals. The team includes psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, social workers and other health professionals who meet regularly to focus on each patient's individual needs and progress. The goal of our program is to help patients regain their independence.

Levels of Care for Adults Age 55+

Inpatient Services Program

The Immanuel Heritage Center's Inpatient Services Program is an acute, short-term program for patients who are in need of a secure, therapeutic environment 24-hours a day. A multidisciplinary team composed of nurses, social workers, occupational and recreational therapists, and registered dietitians working under the direction of a psychiatrist coordinate each individual's plan of care. Additional medical needs are provided by physicians within CHI Health.

The Inpatient Services Program helps patients deal with issues related to:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood Instability
• Psychosis
• Suicidal thoughts
• Drug and alcohol abuse

The Inpatient Services Program is designed to quickly return patients to their optimal level of functioning outside the hospital through an intensive, structured program. The Inpatient Services program includes:

• Psychiatric and physical assessment
• 24-hour nursing and medical support
• Medical management and education
• Access to physical and nutritional therapy
• Individualized treatment planning
• Diagnostic testing
• Family education and support
• Basic life skill enhancement
• Recreational and/or occupational therapy
• Placement assistance
• Group therapy
• Motor skill development

Medicare and many private insurance companies cover hospitalization for inpatient services. 

Partial Hospitalization Program 

The Immanuel Heritage Center's Partial Hospitalization Program meets the needs of individuals who progress to a less-intensive treatment setting following hospitalization, as well as those who need a more intensive level of care but not hospitalization. The program is for individuals experiencing psychiatric distress but not requiring 24-hour supervision. It allows individuals to receive intensive behavioral treatment in an outpatient setting while continuing to live in their own home or usual community setting. The Partial Hospitalization Program is on the CHI Health Immanuel campus and offered daily, five days per week, Monday through Friday.

Medicare Part-B and many private insurance companies cover the Partial Hospitalization Program. To obtain an assessment, for a referral or for more information about this program, please call our Partial Hospitalization Program coordinator at (402) 572-3490.

Aftercare/Outpatient Treatment Services

Aftercare is an ongoing part of every service we provide through the senior behavioral continuum of care. Aftercare assists in making the transition to independence more successful by ensuring an understanding of the next steps in any patient's progress or care. Once an individual has been treated at the Immanuel Heritage Center, either through the Inpatient Services Program or the Partial Hospitalization Program, they may continue to need mental health services on an outpatient basis. Comprehensive mental health services are offered on an outpatient basis through CHI Health Psychiatric Associates. CHI Health Psychiatric Associates are conveniently located throughout the Omaha/Council Bluffs metropolitan area and in surrounding southwest Iowa and eastern Nebraska communities. The comprehensive range of services for seniors, as well as children, adolescents and younger adults may include:

• Psychiatric assessment and treatment
• Psychological evaluation and treatment
• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Chemical dependency assessment and treatment at specific locations

For more information about Senior Mental Health services at CHI Health, call (402) 717-HOPE (4673).