Fort Wayne, Indiana’s Leading Senior Inpatient Program

In our senior program, adults age 55 and older can receive age-appropriate inpatient care for mental health disorders and addictions. This short-term treatment option provides round-the-clock supervision in a safe and secure environment. We offer evidence-based treatment for the following concerns: 

• Depression 
• Anxiety disorders 
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 
• Bipolar disorder 
• Psychosis 
• Schizophrenia 
• Suicidal ideation 
• Self-harming behaviors 
• Substance use disorders 

The senior program is designed to help adults achieve stabilization and eventually reclaim their independence. Our goal is for older adults to return home or step down to a lower level of care upon program completion. Each patient receives an individualized care plan that guides them through treatment, and the length of stay depends on each person’s needs and progress. However, most people stay in our inpatient treatment program for seniors for seven to 10 days. 

At Maple Heights Behavioral Health, we make all admissions decisions following a thorough review of each prospective patient’s history, needs, and goals. We want to be sure that our hospital is the right place for each person who seeks our help. 

At Maple Heights Behavioral Health, we provide personalized care for each patient. Every individual in our senior program participates in therapeutic modalities that best align with their specific needs. Depending on their treatment goals, a person’s experience in our senior program may include the following features: 

• Basic medical care: Throughout their time in treatment, senior adults have access to general practitioners who can address basic medical needs if they arise. If a senior develops a serious medical concern, we can refer them to a trusted hospital or another appropriate medical facility nearby. 
• Medication management services: Patients in our senior program who are taking medication as part of their treatment plan have the opportunity to meet regularly with our psychiatric nurse practitioners for medication management services. Registered nurses are also available to provide these services.  
• Group therapy: Groups are a daily feature of care in our senior program. Therapists, nurses, recreational therapists, and behavioral health technicians lead group therapy sessions on a variety of topics that are relevant for older adults. We offer process, recreational therapy, living skills, and goal-setting groups. In these groups, seniors can develop coping skills, identify triggers, and learn about medication and specific mental health conditions.  
• Family therapy: If appropriate, family therapy sessions may be included in a senior’s customized care plan. Family therapy sessions can help loved ones learn how to better support their family member during and after their time in treatment. Family therapy can also empower participants to heal conflicts or rifts in their relationships so that they can function as a more cohesive unit moving forward. Family therapy sessions at Maple Heights Behavioral Health are led by social workers and licensed professional counselors. 

Isolation and loneliness can be significant concerns for seniors. Our inpatient program for seniors offers daily group activities, opportunities for social interactions, and group therapies, which can foster a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation. We strive to comprehensively address seniors’ physical, emotional, and social needs so that they may have a higher quality of life, maintain their independence, and begin to heal. 

All the therapies at Maple Heights Behavioral Health are informed by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This therapy method is designed to promote positive changes in thought patterns, emotions, and behaviors.  

We are committed to providing an empathetic and encouraging environment for our patients, ultimately empowering them to better understand themselves, improve their overall well-being, and lead more fulfilling lives. 

At Maple Heights Behavioral Health, we have a straightforward admissions process so that each patient can receive the help they need in a timely manner. We believe that each patient can have a successful treatment experience if they are an active participant in their healing journey. To begin the admissions process, patients, family members, or referral sources can call one of our admissions specialists, who are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We accept referrals from physicians, community agencies, mental health clinicians, and other professionals in the community. 

Our admissions staff will perform an initial assessment of the patient to determine if inpatient treatment would be beneficial for them. This initial evaluation includes a physical examination and an assessment of the patient’s medical and mental health treatment history and their goals for treatment. This information can provide valuable insight into the patient’s specific needs and guides the development of their personalized care plan. 

Within 72 hours of a patient’s admission to the senior program, members of our staff gather additional information about them. This may include information about their family, their interpersonal relationships, cultural or religious concerns that may affect treatment, and their work and social history. During this time, staff members also begin planning for a patient’s discharge. 

At Maple Heights Behavioral Health, our senior inpatient program offers a range of benefits for older adults who need comprehensive care and support. We understand the unique struggles of older adults, and through our programming, we seek to meet their emotional, social, physical, and behavioral health needs. During their stay, patients may benefit from the following features of our inpatient program: 

• 24/7 care and support: Patient safety is our top priority in our senior program at Maple Heights Behavioral Health. Our inpatient program offers round-the-clock medical and nursing care, daily activities, personal attention from staff, and a secure environment.  
• Structured routine: Many seniors benefit from a structured daily routine, which can help them maintain their physical and mental well-being. Our inpatient program offers a regimented schedule with planned activities, meals, medication management, and therapy sessions to promote stability and consistency. 
• Personalized care: Every patient who takes part in our senior program completes a thorough assessment and receives a personalized plan to guide their care. We monitor each senior’s progress throughout their time with us, and we can modify their plan as needed to ensure that they are receiving maximum benefit from our services. 
• Age-appropriate services: Age and personal history can influence how people are affected by mental health disorders and substance use concerns. These factors can also determine how a person will respond to various forms of care. In our senior program, patients are in a specialized environment that has been specifically designed to be of maximum benefit for older adults.  
• Compassionate support: Our team is committed to providing each patient with comprehensive and compassionate support. We realize that entering inpatient care for a mental health disorder or substance use concern can be a difficult experience for many older adults. The change of environment and schedule may feel overwhelming. At Maple Heights, we work closely with each patient to make sure that they know that they are in a safe place and surrounded by people who truly care about them. 

• Experienced staff: The dedicated professionals who serve our patients contribute a wealth of training, insights, and experience to our programming. Our staff includes psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs), registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), social workers, licensed professional counselors (LPCs), recreational therapists, dietitians, and behavioral health technicians. 
• Detailed discharge planning: Before a patient completes their time in our senior inpatient program, a member of our staff meets with them and their family to discuss optimal next steps. Depending on each patient’s progress and continued needs, their detailed discharge plan may include referrals to step-down programming as well as information about community-based resources and support services. 

At Maple Heights Behavioral Health, we are dedicated to promoting hope, healing, and recovery for older adults who are facing mental health challenges and substance use concerns. We strive to deliver outstanding inpatient care while embracing each patient’s diverse gifts, talents, and abilities. Our state-of-the-art mental health hospital provides a safe and caring environment where people can gain the tools for lasting wellness. Although the duration of a patient’s stay in our senior program may be brief, the care they receive is designed to yield long-lasting benefits. 

This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Maple Heights Behavioral Health.