HOPE – Geriatric Psychiatry
Okmulgee Memorial Hospital’s HOPE unit is the geriatric psychiatric unit of the hospital. It’s located on the third floor of Okmulgee Memorial Hospital. OMH created the unit in 1989, after recognizing the growing need for elderly psychiatric services. The program offers inpatient and intensive outpatient services, for people 55 and older who are experiencing behavioral and physical health difficulties. We accept both voluntary and involuntary patients. HOPE is the only geriatric psychiatric program in Oklahoma to employ a re-certified geriatric psychiatrist.
Inpatient Program
The HOPE Inpatient program is a short stay program, lasting only seven to 12 days, but some patients can be kept longer. It’s designed to evaluate and treat psychosis, or acute changes in mood, anxiety or behavior, in adults 55 and older.
HOPE Program patients are treated through a combination of medication management, therapies and education. We also assist older adults in redeveloping living skills that help them cope with problems that may accompany the aging process.
Problems that may indicate a need for HOPE program services are:
- Suicidal thoughts
- Depression
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Combativeness
- Confusion
At HOPE, we treat the whole individual not just the medical concerns, but the behavioral and environmental concerns as well. We understand that patients are individuals, and that a form of treatment that works for one patient, may not work for another patient, which is why we provide individual care to our patients. We also know how vital family and friends are to a patient’s overall well being, and strongly encourage family members and loved ones to participate in the patient’s treatment while in our care.
Outpatient Program
The HOPE outpatient clinic provides full evaluation and treatment to adults aged 55 and older, with behavioral and cognitive disorders. The HOPE outpatient program is appropriate for patients who don’t require acute hospitalization.
Our outpatient program provides diagnostic evaluation, psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy to patients. Outpatient services are provided to HOPE patients to treat depression, anxiety, substance abuse or difficulty dealing with losses and transitions.
Patient transportation to and from the HOPE Program can be arranged.
How to Enroll
If you think HOPE could help you, a loved one or a patient call us at 918.758.3308. Someone will be available at all times to answer your call. After contacting HOPE, a potential patient must undergo an evaluation to see if our services are appropriate for the individual. Someone is available at all times to assess patients. The HOPE unit employs a team of highly skilled health professionals who know how to recognize and deal with individuals in crisis. If a patient is accepted into the inpatient program, HOPE staff will coordinate all the details of admission. We understand that seeking treatment can be a stressful and complicated experience, which is why we try to reduce some of that anxiety by handling all the details of admission.
Other Services
At HOPE, we know how important but confusing mental health issues can be, which is why we have a community educator on staff. The community educator presents information on a number of mental health topics to members of the community. The community educator can do speaking bureaus, presentations or speak to an individual who would like more information about our services and programs.
Some of the topics the educator can present on are:
- The Aging Process
- Alzheimer’s
- Anxiety
- Bi-Polar Disorder
- Grief Counseling
- Depression
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Drug Abuse in the Elderly
- Panic Disorders
- Elder Abuse
- Suicide in the Elderly
- HOPE for the Hopeless
We also provide various tests and screenings to the public absolutely free of charge. To take a depression-screening exam click on the Depression - screening exam link located on the right tool bar.
For more information about our community education services or for additional guidance call our 24-hour Help Line at 918.758.3308 or toll-free at 877.821.0082. |