Senior Behavioral Health Services at Parkwest Medical Center
We Offer Personalized Behavioral Health Services for Older Adults
At Parkwest Medical Center, we’re dedicated to serving the behavioral health of seniors in Tennessee. If you or a loved one is experiencing behavioral issues or changes as a result of cognitive decline, dementia, or another health issue, our Knoxville area team is here to support and assist you with accessing the best care possible in East Tennessee.
Senior Behavioral Health provides an advanced level of care for adults ages 55 and older with a wide range of psychiatric and medical issues.
About Our Behavioral Health Services
Our behavioral health services are part of a short term psychiatric treatment program and is not intended to primarily address placement issues for individuals. Patients should be medically stable at time of admission.
The focus of our senior behavioral health services is to address psychiatric or mental health crises and provide cognitive evaluation needs.
Our program is part of Peninsula. Peninsula, a division of Parkwest Medical Center, has set a new standard for effective, innovative, and caring psychiatric services in East Tennessee.
With a combined total of more than 75 years of experience, Peninsula programming and staff have helped thousands of people recover from disorders and dependencies, and lead healthy, positive, and productive lives.
Why Trust Your Senior Behavioral Health Needs to Parkwest Medical Center?
At Parkwest Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, we’re committed to serving the behavioral health needs of our local seniors.
Our signature Peninsula programming offers many vital components of comprehensive care to the Tennessee residents we’re honored to serve.
Senior Behavioral Health Amenities and Services
Amenities
Our 16-bed unit is designed to accommodate various patient needs. The unit features a common area, equipped with a piano, television, games, and sitting area to provide patients with a comfortable environment.
Caring, Qualified Staff
Our Senior Behavioral Health’s staff at Parkwest Medical Center uses a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.
Staff members are trained to evaluate and treat patients with psychiatric problems and/or dementia. They are also qualified to offer medical care or intervention for patients with physical ailments. Our Senior Behavioral Health Center has a variety of staff to assist with the coordination of care for your family member.
Our Parkwest Medical Center Senior Behavioral Health team includes:
- Psychiatrists
- Medical Doctors
- A Dedicated Unit Manager
- Registered Nurses
- Discharge Planner/Case Manager
- Social Worker
- Speech and Language Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Physical Therapist
- Recreational Therapist
- Certified Nursing Assistants/Patient Care Associates/Student Nurse Associates
- Health Unit Coordinators
Senior Behavioral Health Program Components
To best serve the senior behavioral health needs of Tennessee seniors, Parkwest Medical Center offers the following services to you and your loved ones in our care:
- Cognitive Testing
- Recreational Therapy
- Discharge Planning
- 24-hour Nursing Care
- Psychiatric Evaluation
- Medical Monitoring
- Medication Assessment and Adjustment
- Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapies
- Nutritional Assessment
- Fall Risk Assessment and Prevention
- Pain Assessment and Management
- Multidisciplinary Group Therapy Sessions
- Pet Therapy
To ensure the holistic health and wellbeing of our patients, we also provide assistance to the families we work with to help them decide next steps for the care of an elderly loved one with behavioral health needs.
Level of Care Recommendations
Our Senior Behavioral Health team will assess and recommend the level of post-hospital care that the patient may need.
We will assist family and other professionals with assisted living or nursing home resources, however placement in a facility cannot be guaranteed by day of discharge.
Patient Referral and Admission Process
Referrals must be made by a physician. Admissions are voluntary or by the consent of a person who has been legally appointed as Healthcare Power of Attorney/Healthcare Agent, Conservator, or HealthCare Appointed Surrogate for the patient being admitted.
All referrals and intakes are done through Peninsula Hospital, a division of Parkwest Medical Center.
To make a referral or to get more information, please call 865-373-8187. If you would like to speak to a staff member of the Senior Behavioral Health unit, please call the nurses station at 865-373-1745.
Frequently Asked Questions about Senior Behavioral Health Services at Parkwest Medical Center
What is the average length of stay?
In general, the average length of stay varies from 7-10 days. This allows time for medical and psychological testing, as well as medication adjustments.
How do I get information and updates about my family member in your care?
We ask that each patient have one designated primary point of contact for our staff. This person must be legally appointed as Healthcare Power of Attorney/Healthcare Agent, Conservator or HealthCare Appointed Surrogate, and give the correct PIN (Personal Identification Number). The main contact person can then provide patient information to extended family members and friends.
When is the best time to call for information and updates about my loved one?
The best time to obtain information about your loved one is between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. However, outside of those hours, messages may be left for staff at any time and return calls will be made as soon as staff are available. Suggested visiting hours are between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. daily to ensure therapeutic measures are met during the patient’s stay.
What should my family member bring when they come for treatment?
Personal belongings are very restricted. We ask that the patient only bring items that are medically necessary such as: dentures, eyeglasses, hearing aids, c-pap/bi-pap machine, and one outfit to wear on the day of discharge. All other items, such as clothing and hygiene supplies will be provided for your loved one. We will do our best to ensure the safety of personal belongings brought for your loved one, however, ultimately the hospital is not responsible for lost or missing, broken or damaged items.
Are children allowed to visit?
Children 16 and under are not permitted on the unit. Children cannot be left unaccompanied while in the hospital. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times while on the unit.
