Holiday Blues Hits Some Seniors Hard: Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment Offers Special Help

First-of-its-Kind Program to Help Seniors With Dual Diagnosis

Philadelphia, PA, November 21, 2006 – With the stress of the holidays, some seniors who are lonely and struggling with issues of depression and anxiety may abuse substances to cope. This is a year-round problem that’s on the rise among those age 55 and up, and it is exacerbated this time of year.

Older adults grappling both with substance abuse and psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder -- known as dual diagnosis -- can now get help at Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment’s Senior Recovery Track program. The program is the first of its kind in Philadelphia. “We’re pleased to offer this service since there’s a real need in our community to help older people with these problems,” says William Shapiro, PsyD, Program Director of Geropsychiatry at Belmont.

The Senior Recovery Track Program is part of Belmont’s Geriatric Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) which currently serves 200 patients. Both IOP and Senior Recovery Track patients join together in some therapy groups. Led by a clinician with expertise in treating older adults with dual diagnosis, Senior Recovery Track is run in collaboration with staff at Belmont’s Woodside Hall Addictions Program, a full-service in-and out-patient drug and alcohol program.

Services Provided

Treatment modalities offered in the Senior Recovery Track program include group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, medication management and psychoeducation (understanding addiction, relapse prevention, increasing distress tolerance, anger management, etc.).

Treatment issues are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, after which the Belmont team determines the type and appropriate level of care for the patient. Recommendations may include inpatient psychiatric care, detoxification or treatment for medical conditions. Each patient’s level of care is reassessed throughout the course of treatment. The program is offered from one to three days each week.

The Senior Recovery Track Program is located at Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment, 4200 Monument Road, Philadelphia, PA.

Most insurance is accepted, including Medicare, Medical Assistance and many managed care plans. A sliding scale is also offered. Transportation is provided through SEPTA Para-Transit.

For information on the Senior Recovery Track Program, call Jay Cantor, LCSW, at 215-581-9197.

Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment is the private, free-standing psychiatric hospital of Belmont Behavioral Health, one of the oldest, largest and most comprehensive behavioral health systems in Philadelphia, and part of Albert Einstein Healthcare Network. Belmont Behavioral Health treats a variety of emotional and psychiatric problems, including substance abuse, eating disorders, depression and anxiety disorders, among others. For more information, call 1-800-EINSTEIN or visit www.einstein.edu/belmont.

CONTACT: Judy Horwitz
Communications Specialist
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
215-456-6767 horwitzj@einstein.edu

 

Publish date: November 21, 2006