Continuum of Care

Holistic Social Model

Assisted Living

Secure Assisted Living

Hospital

Nursing Home

PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES are provided by an experienced Ph.D. Clinical Geropsychologist and a Nurse Psychotherapist with a master's degree in psychology. Their services are an essential part of our Family Health West team.  Their professional knowledge and experience is extremely helpful in treating depression, establishing behavioral management and redirection programs, and successful reduction of resident medication use. 

Services include diagnostic assessment, psychological treatment, behavioral intervention, consultation with staff, knowledge and skill training, coaching, awareness training, stress reduction training, modeling, and encouraging staff to try new approaches.

SUCCESSES:

Psychological Service approaches being successfully used with residents in our Social Model - The Main Street Experience include:

• validation techniques,
• best friends approach,
• behavioral management, and
• case study approach.

ADVANTAGES:

The case study approach encourages a systematic look at all of the factors contributing to problem behaviors.  A common misconception is that individuals with dementia cannot benefit from Psychological Services.  It is well documented that an awareness of feelings and emotions is one of the last senses lost with dementia.  Other approaches which are sometimes useful include: 

• interpersonal therapy,
• supportive treatment,
• environmental approaches to reduce stressors which are contributing to symptoms,
• family consultation to involve family in the intervention process, and/or
• consultation with the primary care physician in the use of psychotropic medications.

The goal of these approaches is to return the resident to the highest possible level of functioning and to keep him/her at that level with maintenance therapy.  Residents with significant dementia have been maintained at a relatively high level of functioning for months and sometimes years with such therapy.  Since resolution of losses and other emotional issues depends greatly on forming a trusting relationship with the therapist, weekly intervention contacts are often most effective.

Psychological Services also plays a valuable supportive role with staff.  Being a caregiver in long-term care is often quite stressful.  Staff members are often required to manage difficult behaviors including anger and combativeness, and to deal with the difficult issues of grief and loss.  Our Psychological Consultants spend a considerable amount of time with staff supporting, coaching and teaching.

For further information about Psychological Services provided at Family Health West, talk to our Family Health West Social Services Coordinator at (970) 858-2140

Special, Personal Attention Offered With

Caring, Compassion & Peace of Mind

WE CAN HELP!

Please call us for more information on our Highly Regarded Care

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