Acute Geriatric Psychiatric Services
Light Care Center of Conway - Acute Geriatric Psychiatric Services
Senior Adult Behavioral Health and Geriatric Psychiatric Services
Lighthouse Care Center of Conway’s acute geriatric psychiatric unit provides intensive psychiatric treatment and medication stabilization for patients 60 years of age and up who have had an acute mental status change. Mental health changes can occur as the result of significant upheavals in one’s life such as the death of a spouse, a loss of mobility and independence due to a severe medical condition, the prospect of financial hardship or from feeling that one is a burden to others. Lighthouse Care Center of Conway treats seniors suffering from debilitating anxiety, depression, agitation, paranoia, fearfulness and hallucinations. Individuals who present a clear and present danger to themselves or others or are combative and assaultive towards caregivers as is often the case with those who have dementia or Alzheimer’s, are also appropriate for an inpatient stay at Lighthouse. Our medical staff can safely detox patients from alcohol, opiates or benzodiazepines such as Xanax as well.
Seniors admitted to Lighthouse Care Center of Conway’s acute geri-psych program are treated by a multi-disciplinary team consisting of a geriatric neuropsychiatrist, an internist, social workers, nurses and a registered dietician for dietary consults. Each patient is provided with an individual treatment plan that specifically addresses his or her most pressing issues. The focus of this program is to quickly assess the medical and behavioral needs of each patient and guide the individual to healthier and more effective coping strategies.
While in treatment each patient is seen daily by a board certified geriatric neuropsychiatrist, first for an initial evaluation, and then subsequently for medication check-ups and verification of progress toward treatment goals. A dietary consult will be performed if ordered, and daily therapy groups are part of the treatment as well. Referrals will be made for further services after discharge if necessary.
Referral Information
Referrals to Lighthouse Care Center of Conway can be made by a professional such as a physician, by a family member or by patients themselves. Calling Lighthouse Care Center of Conway at (843) 347-8871 and asking to speak with one of our assessment professionals is all that is needed to get the admissions process started. Our phones are answered 24 hours a day for this purpose.
- Senior adults presenting with acute geriatric psychiatric service needs may be voluntary or involuntary (White or pink papers).
- There must be a psychiatric or substance abuse diagnosis. A Lighthouse physician will make this diagnosis at the time of admission if one has not been previously made.
- For those patients coming from another facility such as a nursing home, we require a list of medications (MARS), information on any current medical conditions the patient is being treated for, nursing or social worker notes for the past 72-96 hours and the results of any recent lab work if it is available.
- Patients must be medically stable at time of admission.
- Paperwork for Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders and Power of Attorney (POA) are also required at time of admission.
Acute Geriatric Psychiatric Services Video
Watch our video describing our Acute Geriatric Psychiatric Services.