Sometimes seniors aren’t ready to move into a full-time elderly care community. But families and caregivers may be concerned that a psychological issue needs to be addressed in order to maintain the aging loved one’s independence at home as long as possible. That’s why Mille Lacs Health System has a highly specialized unit called the Senior Care Unit. Below, Mille Lacs Health System in Onamia, MN, shares three occasions they often see patients come to the Senior Care Unit for short-term care.

The Short-Term Senior Care Unit May Be Helpful in These 3 Situations

1. Memory and dementia issues

Do you think your loved one has an Alzheimer's or dementia-related emotional or behavioral issue? These issues can require being admitted to a specialized unit just meant for geriatric psychiatry. Mille Lacs Health System’s Senior Care Unit is here to assess the issue noticed by loved ones, find resources, and discuss ongoing care.

2. When you are concerned about their mental state

In the event of a mental health issue, such as suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, and delusions or depression, an older person may benefit from short-term observation and diagnostic care.

3. Medication problems

When older individuals take psychotropic prescriptions or other types of medications, their medication doses may be changed by their medical provider. This may cause behavioral issues. Some seniors also have trouble remembering to take their prescriptions when they should, so they could take too much or too little. This also can result in behavioral changes. Or, perhaps the medication doses need to be looked at and changed because some psychological or social issue is being observed.

Short-term observation and diagnosis in Mille Lacs Health System’s Senior Care Unit can help your aging loved one regain their footing during a mental health episode. Consider calling the Mille Lacs Health System Senior Care Unit to provide them with a safe environment and caring, knowledgeable medical staff in their time of need. To ask the nurses on the Senior Care Unit if your loved one is a candidate for observation and admission, call (320) 532-2750. Visit the website for information about their extensive health services from home care and hospice to family clinics, outpatient services, radiology, and diagnostics.