GERIATRIC NEUROPSYCHIATRY UNIT
Maureen Malin, MD, Medical Director
Lesley Adkison, MSN, RN, Nurse Director
The Geriatric Neuropsychiatry Unit (GNU) is a short-term, inpatient unit for the evaluation and treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. The GNU uses an intensive multidisciplinary approach to stabilize patients rapidly and implement treatment plans that maximize their cognitive and emotional functioning and thus enhance their quality of life. Unit staff are expert not only in determining the cause of a patient's dementia, but also in separating those behavioral and emotional problems that are caused by the underlying dementia from those that are due to other reversible causes.
The Geriatric Neuropsychiatry Unit is part of the McLean Geriatric Psychiatry Program, which provides integrated inpatient, outpatient, partial hospital services to older men and women. It is located on the grounds of McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass.
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Admissions Info (pdf) |
Admission Criteria
To be eligible for admission, patients must need evaluation or treatment for behavioral problems (e.g., physically or verbally aggressive behavior, agitation, wandering, depression or anxiety) related to dementia. Regardless of the cause of their dementia or their specific behavioral symptoms, patients must require an inpatient level of psychiatric care.
Services
Patients receive comprehensive evaluations aimed at diagnosing their disorder and assessing their emotional, behavioral and cognitive abilities. These evaluations lead to treatment plans that can be implemented both on the unit and, when appropriate, at aftercare facilities. Thorough psychosocial evaluations, neuropsychological testing, review of medications, medical history and current physical conditions, and other diagnostic procedures are provided as needed.
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Treatment options are equally broad. These include individual and group therapy, psychopharmacology, occupational therapy and behavioral interventions. The GNU staff works closely with patients' families and referrers to assure that gains made during hospitalization are maintained after discharge. The staff provides families with education, support and help in determining the most appropriate next steps, including recommendations of community-based services when appropriate. The staff also consults with referrers while patients are on the unit and provides concrete treatment recommendations to implement after discharge.
Professional Staff
A multidisciplinary team of geriatric psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, social workers, nurses and occupational therapists treats each patient. Team members have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating dementia in the elderly. In addition, McLean neurologists and internists regularly consult to the primary treatment teams. Other medical or rehabilitation consultations are obtained as necessary, both within the hospital and through outside facilities.
Insurance
McLean Hospital accepts Blue Cross, Medicare, Massachusetts Medicaid, and a wide array of other insurance plans. The specific details for each plan vary. Hospital staff can help referrers and patients' families with questions about insurance coverage.
Information and Referral
For further information, call the McLean Hospital Geriatric Psychiatry Program at (617) 855-3183. To arrange an inpatient admission, call the McLean Information and Referral Service at (800) 333-0338, 24 hours a day, seven days a week or send an email to Jim Ellison, MD at ellisonj@mcleanpo.mclean.org
About the McLean Geriatric Psychiatry Program
The McLean Geriatric Psychiatry Program is the oldest and largest service in New England dedicated exclusively to meeting the mental health needs of the elderly. Its multidisciplinary treatment teams provide comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and follow-up on a wide range of psychiatric disorders.