Investing in Older Adults’ Mental Health and Overall Well-Being

Raymond Suarez, MD, Medical Director, SBHU answers questions about behavioral health.

St. Joseph Hospital’s Senior Behavioral Health Unit, or SBHU, is a short-term inpatient treatment program for adults 65 years old and older who are experiencing severe behavioral or emotional symptoms. The 24-bed unit provides a safe and secure environment for seniors to receive care. 

What is your role as the Medical Director of St. Joe’s SBHU?

In general, I’m responsible for overseeing the clinical and medical care of all the patients on our unit. I oversee their diagnosis and treatment as well as ensure the unit’s operations, including admissions and discharges, run smoothly. 

Why is the SBHU important to the community?

According to the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, New Hampshire residents aged 65 and older make up more than 20 percent of the state’s population – and that percentage is growing faster than many other states.   

People are living longer and they’re experiencing more medical issues, which can lead to or exacerbate psychological challenges. Therefore, the need for specialized support is greater. Finally, it simply makes good sense to have the unit dedicated to older adults, who are fragile in some cases, and have different needs than younger patients. 

How many people are on staff and what are their specific roles?

Our attentive and experienced staff of approximately 40 professionals includes a psychiatrist, several registered nurses and licensed nursing assistants, a unit director, intake and care coordinators, activity therapists and community outreach staff. 

What type of care does the program provide?

Our program strives to stabilize seniors through individualized care. The two types of patients we see most often are:

• Seniors struggling with dementia, and behaviors related to that decline, including disruptive behavior, agitation and hallucinations.
• Seniors experiencing many life changes at one time, which may include losing loved ones, declining physical health or giving up independence. Events like these can trigger depression, anxiety and severe psychiatric symptoms.

Is a referral needed to be evaluated by or admitted to the SBHU?

• Yes, a referral is required to receive care. Most often, patients are referred to us by:
• A hospital’s emergency department or medical floorA primary care or specialty provider
• A skilled nursing community requesting a resident be evaluated

How does the program’s care align with St. Joseph Hospital’s Mission to provide healing and care for the whole person in service to all in our communities?

Unfortunately, our society sometimes overlooks the psychiatric care of older adults. Fortunately, St. Joe’s has genuinely invested in providing this type of much needed and comprehensive care to ensure the good mental health and overall well-being of older adults. I’m proud to be a part of that.