About the Geriatric Psychiatry Program
Recognized as a Top Hospital for Aging by Philadelphia magazine, the Geriatric Psychiatry Program at Jefferson offers inpatient services that are dedicated exclusively to caring for the unique psychiatric and neurological disorders of older adults. Our Program physicians will provide expert diagnosis and individualized, state-of-the-art treatment for chronic age-related psychiatric, medical and neurological conditions such as depression, dementia, Parkinson's disease or stroke.
Jefferson psychiatrists are highly experienced in treating patients with moderate and severe depression or significant dementia accompanied by anxiety, paranoia or aggression.
Our private 12-bed inpatient unit includes a specially designed environment for disabled elderly and is staffed by geriatric psychiatrists and geriatricians. It is designed to help facilitate restoration of geriatric patients' abilities to function independently. we provide a careful assessment of each patient's readiness to return home or need for long-term rehabilitation.
The multidisciplinary treatment program includes the combined expertise of Jefferson specialists in psychiatry, neurology, internal medicine, nursing, social work and occupational and creative art therapies.
Ample Individual Attention
- Limited Patient Population – Our Geriatric Psychiatry Unit accommodates 12 patients with individual occupancy rooms, helping to ensure that each patient receives as much individual care and attention as necessary.
- Full Range of Treatment Options – In addition to pharmacotherapy and supportive individual psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is available, if necessary, for selected patients who have not responded to other treatments for depression. Jefferson has more than 20 years of experience in utilizing ECT to treat medically compromised patients with depression. Outpatient ECT is also available on a selective basis for those patients who can benefit from extended treatment.