Hospital program offers help for stressed seniors
Staff writer
Are you having trouble coping with the death of a loved one? Do you need support as a caregiver? Are you feeling lonely or isolated?
These are some of the issues St. Luke Hospital seeks to address with a program called Senior Life Solutions.
It is designed to meet unique needs of older adults — decreased energy, difficulty sleeping and eating, life transitions, a recent health diagnosis, a chronic health condition, or feelings of uncertainty and worry.
“Once they get through the stigma, they don’t want to leave,” registered nurse Rebecca Wade said. “Most of them are suffering from depression for one reason or another. The program gives them an outlet to share their feelings.”
Clients range between ages 65 and 90. The number enrolled at any one time is limited to 12.
In addition to Wade, the staff includes a board-certified psychiatrist, a licensed therapist, and other trained professionals.
The program includes group therapy three times a week and one-on-one sessions once or twice a week.
Sessions are conducted in the St. Luke Clinic basement. Teleconferencing calls with a psychiatrist from Kansas City also are provided.
A current patient said group meetings and one-on-one sessions had been helpful.
“They really care about you,” she said.
Individuals can access the program on their own, but anyone — physicians, family members, or other health care professionals — can refer a person to the program,.
The therapy department at St. Luke is at (520) 382-2177, Ext. 520.