Columbus’s Best Late Life Depression Hospital & Treatment Center

Understanding Treatment for Late-Life Depression

Feeling sad is a natural part of life. Everyone experiences feelings of sadness and despair that can, occasionally, interfere with everyday functioning. Depression in later life affects about 15 out of every 100 adults over the age of 65 in the United States, especially those in nursing homes or hospitals. Contrary to popular belief, depression is not a normal part of becoming older, nor is it simply a passing mood. It is a treatable illness that can be managed with a combination of therapeutic approaches and medication. As depression in older age can cause serious problems, including early death and increased disability, it is vital that loved ones take notice of these problems and help guide their senior adult into treatment as soon as possible to prevent further complications.

At Ohio Hospital for Psychiatry, a leading hospital for late-life depression in Columbus, we understand the needs of the older generation and offer a comfortable, supportive, and therapeutic environment for senior adults who are experiencing symptoms of late-life depression. We designed our treatment center to meet the needs of our senior population so that we can help them maximize their overall functioning and enhance the overall quality of their life. Our comfortable, state-of-the art Generations Program is staffed by compassionate geriatric specialists who work to guide our older adults through each step of their treatment.

Helping a Loved One or Family Member Get Treatment for Late-life Depression

Recognizing late-life depression is not always simple, as many of the symptoms may differ from those of depression at other ages. If your loved one is struggling with late-life depression, you may feel at a loss for how to help. You may see that your loved one is experiencing persistent sadness lasting longer than two weeks, feeling worthless or helpless, and/or having excessive anxiety about medical health problems or finances that interfere with daily life. Here are some ways you can help gently guide your older adult into treatment:

Listen and reassure: Approach your loved one about the way he or she may be feeling and reassure him or her that feelings of depression do not make him or her weak or “crazy.” The stigma of mental illness on older generations can prevent them from seeking help.

Make an appointment with his or her doctor: When you make this appointment, offer to go with your loved one to the appointment and be sure to talk to the doctor about the signs of depression you may have seen.

Encourage your loved one to seek treatment in Columbus: Sometimes the best way to get late-life depression under control is through inpatient treatment that allows for medication management, ensuring efficacy of treatments for other medical conditions, and provides psychotherapeutic interventions.

Why Consider Treatment for Late-life Depression at Our Hospital in Columbus

If you are experiencing late-life depression, you may worry that you are losing control of your emotions, or you might just accept depression as a normal part of the aging process and refuse to mention your symptoms to your physician. Late-life depression is a common illness and can lead to very severe consequences if left untreated, including early death. If you are experiencing symptoms of late-life depression, it is very important to seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent complications.

A treatment center that has been specifically designed with the needs of seniors in mind that combines medication management and other therapeutic approaches, like our hospital in Columbus, has proven to be one of the most effective ways to begin treatment for late-life depression. You will be able to escape the stresses and pressures of daily life and focus on your own health and well-being, allowing you to begin the road to recovery.

Our Philosophy and Benefits of Late-life Depression Treatment

At Ohio Hospital for Psychiatry, our late-life depression treatment center in Columbus, we have learned that by building upon existing strengths and resources, our clients are able to begin the road to recovery in a comfortable, therapeutic setting. We aim to enhance the quality of life for our older clients and allow them the dignity and respect they need as they begin to recover from late-life depression. Under the supervision of our medical director and director of nursing, Generations has been designed specifically to meet the unique needs of our older clients. We aim to provide a comfortable, safe setting for our patients and ensure they are meeting and exceeding the treatment goals set forth in their treatment plans.

Types of Late-life Depression Treatment Offered at Our Hospital in Columbus

When you come to us for care for late-life depression, you will undergo a comprehensive evaluation designed to help us get to know you on a personal level and allow us to form an idea for what your treatment plan will encompass. Your treatment team will work together with you and your loved ones to create a plan of care for your stay with us that meets all of your needs.

Medication management is available at our late-life depression treatment center. It may be used in order to treat any existing or newly-diagnosed medical conditions, as well as the possible implementation of medication to help manage your depression. Your medication usage will be closely monitored by a physician and adjusted as needed.

Individual therapy allows you to work one-on-one with a therapist to address any concerns you may have. At our hospital in Columbus, you may discuss the diagnosis of late-life depression and how it makes you feel, as we understand the long-standing stigma surrounding mental illness in older generations. We may also delve into topics such as grief and loss, anxiety over finances, and any other concerns you may have.

Group therapy is offered at our treatment center. It can be very helpful for people who have late-life depression because it will allow you to connect with others who may be struggling with similar challenges. You may discuss medication compliance, the importance of follow-up care with your physician, and ways to cope with the side effects of your medication.

Family therapy can be helpful as it allows you to work with your loved ones to develop an aftercare plan that addresses your continuing needs. At our late-life depression hospital, we will work to educate your loved ones about late-onset depression, symptoms of a relapse, and ways in which they can help you continue on your journey to recovery.

As the staff at our late-life depression treatment center in Columbus aims to treat the whole you, not just your presenting symptoms, we provide experiential treatments that help you heal. These may include:

• Arts and crafts
• Games
• Gardening
• Occupational, speech, physical therapy as needed
• Gym

Continuing Care and Levels of Treatment

As the time for your discharge draws near, we will work with you and your loved ones to create an aftercare plan that meets your continued care needs. Many of our clients step down from our Generations inpatient treatment center into one of our structured outpatient treatment options. We offer an intensive outpatient program (IOP) that will allow you to focus on your recovery during the day while returning to a stable living environment during the evenings and on weekends. From there, most of our clients step down into our traditional outpatient therapy, support groups, and other available community resources in Columbus.