Geriatric Behavioral Health

AHMC Seton Medical Center offers a 24-bed licensed, geriatric psychiatry unit that serves the needs of older individuals with acute psychiatric illnesses, providing multi-disciplinary services for voluntary and involuntary patients.

Our dedicated and experienced psychiatric team is comprised of a medical director, geriatric psychiatrists, internal medicine specialists, neuropsychologists, clinical social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, recreational therapists, registered dietitians and nurses, all of whom care deeply about their work and their patients. We provide psychiatric evaluation, stabilization and medication management for our patients, along with a full array of therapeutic programs and services. Our goal is to enable our patients to successfully function and return to their families and communities.

Seton's geriatric behavioral program includes:

Private and semi-private rooms tailored to patients' individual needs, comfort and safety
The ability to meet the majority of medical needs, if necessary
On-staff internal medicine specialists
Rehabilitation services as needed, including physical, occupational and speech therapy services
Daily interaction with the psychiatric team
A daily treatment schedule that provides therapeutic and purposeful activities to promote safety, stabilization, psychosocial and medical interventions that result in discharge to a less intensive level of care
Assistance with discharge planning, community resources, psycho-education, group therapy, and post-discharge follow up, all provided by our licensed clinical social workers

Admission Criteria

Patients must be 65 or older (except as approved by the medical director) with a primary psychiatric diagnosis requiring acute inpatient treatment and have the ability to take part in our program and services. Patients must be medically cleared.
Voluntary patients much have a capacity to consent for voluntary admission.
Involuntary patients must be on a legal hold.

When making a referral, please include the following documentations:

Psychiatric evaluation
Medical Clearance
Labs: CBC, CMP, Urinalysis/Toxicology
EKG
5150 or legal hold documentation if applicable

Geriatric Behavioral Health Services are covered by Medicare, Medi-Cal, and most private insurers. We will bill insurance for services and obtain prior authorization so there are no unanticipated costs or surprises. To schedule an appointment or a tour, please call: 650.464.7874