Senior Life Solutions provides in-person therapy to older adults

MARENGO — A new mental health service for senior citizens became available at Compass Memorial Healthcare last month.

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“It’s something we’ve been working on for months,” said Mary Warwick, Director of Compass Memorial Healthcare Foundation.

Senior Life Solutions began group therapy sessions on the hospital campus Feb. 26. Licensed therapist Pamela Smith and psychiatrist Sheena Chinthitta work with Senior Life clients at Compass.

“We currently have a tele-psychiatric service … for consultants,” said Jillissa Chvala, director of ambulatory clinics. That service is operated by Psychiatric Medical Care. It’s parent company also has a Senior Life Solutions program and offered it to Compass.

It’s an in-person service for the geriatric population, Chvala said. “There is definitely a need.”

The program consists of short-term, voluntary group therapy, but it also offers individual and family therapy, said Sara Hebert, program director. Clients who can’t get out can access the service remotely, said Hebert. “We can go to their house [and] get them set up,” Hebert said.

Seniors use psychiatric services for a host of reasons, such as grief management, dealing with comorbidities and accepting the “new normal” after hip replacements or other surgeries, said Hebert.

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Caregivers, seniors taking care of their grandchildren, seniors with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and those on antidepressants may want to use the service, Hebert said.

Seniors facing a new lifestyle after retirement can benefit as well, said Anastasia Larson, patient coordinator.

Therapy groups are capped at 10 participants, said Hebert. Clients start at three times a week, but patients and doctors can alter that schedule based on individual needs.

“We check their vitals every day when they’re here,” said Hebert, to make sure patients are stable. Senior Life Solutions provides medication management and keeps in touch with each client’s primary care physician.

Providers will see all the notes from their therapy sessions. “They get updates,” said Hebert.

“We do not have to have a doctor referral, said Hebert. A neighbor, family members or friends can refer seniors to the service. Referral forms are on the Compass website, and referrals can be made by phone or by email.

Senior Life Solutions is primarily for people 65 years old and older, but anyone over 62 who has Medicare can use the service, Hebert said. Clients don’t have to have a mental health diagnosis.

Senior Life Solutions is a step up from traditional outpatient therapy but a step down from inpatient care, said Hebert.

After clients graduate from the program, the staff will continue to follow them, and they’ll be welcomed back to the facility for potlucks and parties, Hebert said.

Senior Life Solutions at Compass will serve a 50 mile radius, said Herbert. “I’ll go meet the people and discuss the services,” said Hebert. If they decide not to use Senior Life Solution, Hebert will help them find other resources to meet their needs, she said.

Medical professionals supporting Senior Life Solutions will speak with churches, civic organizations and other groups who would like to hear about the program. “This group is ready to go out and speak,” said Warwick.

Sometimes businesses know if clients or customers need mental health services, said Warwick. “No matter where the referrals come from it would be accepted,” she said.

Senior Life Solutions meets in the former senior apartment complex to the east of the hospital, 300 W. May St., Suite B.

An open house is planned for April 4 from 1-3 p.m.