Behavioral Health Senior Care Services
The Geriatric Psychiatry Program is available through University of Iowa Behavioral Health Care to address the emotional and behavioral needs of older adults. Specialty care and consultation are offered to provide differential diagnoses of neurological and physical illnesses in older people who may be experiencing depression, confusion, anxiety, psychosis or mood swings that disrupt their ability to function independently. The program offers comprehensive services by providers specially trained to meet the behavioral health needs of older adults, including:
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outpatient clinical services
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inpatient clinical services
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outreach services (to nursing homes and assisted-living facilities in Johnson County and other surrounding counties)
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
On this page:
- Who staffs the clinics?
- Who should I contact?
- Where are the clinics located?
- Who is evaluated in psychiatry's outpatient clinic?
- Who is evaluated in psychiatry's inpatient clinic?
- What is the service to long-term care facilities?
- Where can patients who are veterans recieve service?
Who staffs the clinics?
Judith H. W. Crossett, MD, Ph.D., University of Iowa Health Care Geriatric Psychiatrist, is the director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Program. Dr. Crossett staffs the UIHC geriatric psychiatry outpatient clinic, psychiatric inpatient units, and on-site outreach services to long-term care and assisted living facilities.
Mary Johnson, RN, ARNP, an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner in Gerontology, staffs the outpatient clinic and assists Dr. Crossett with on-site services to long-term care facilities in Iowa communities.
Other staff members include Jane S. Paulsen, Ph.D., Psychiatry and Neurology, who sees patients with cognitive and/or behavioral changes associated with aging, and Susan Schultz, MD, who treats elderly patients with psychiatric syndromes including schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and dementia.
These professionals are backed by a complete interdisciplinary team including social workers, rehabilitation therapists, neurobehavioral psychologists, pharmacists and the full spectrum of specialists within University of Iowa Health Care.
Who should I contact?
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For general information or for patients who wish to schedule an appointment with the psychiatry clinic providers, contact UI Behavioral Health toll free at 877.384.8999. You can ask for a healthcare provider by name. UI Behavioral Health also offers toll free emergency and consultation services 24 hours a day at 877.384.8999.
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For physicians requesting consultation or scheduling referral appointments, contact UI Consult toll free at 800.322.8442.
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For long-term care facilities requesting more information on outreach services or to refer a patient to UI Behavioral Health, contact UI Consult toll free at 800.322.8442.
Where are the clinics located?
The University of Iowa Health Care outpatient psychiatry clinic is located at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 (map). Parking is available at four ramps specifically designated for hospital patients and visitors (map).
University of Iowa Health Care acute inpatient care units are also located within University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 (map). Parking is available at four ramps specifically designated for hospital patients and visitors (map).
University of Iowa Behavioral Health Senior Care Services are outreach services to long-term facilities, which take place in Johnson County and other surrounding counties at the facilities themselves.
Who is evaluated in psychiatry's outpatient clinic?
Caring for the senior population means not only providing for their physical needs but for their emotional and behavioral needs as well. With Alzheimer's Disease and depression so prevalent in Iowa's aging population, a thorough evaluation of significant behavioral changes in an older person is more important than ever. University of Iowa Health Care addresses a broad range of psychiatric illnesses, including: bipolar and psychotic disorders; mood and anxiety disorders; dissociative disorders; and Alzheimer's Disease and other causes of dementia.
Who is evaluated and cared for in the inpatient clinic?
Geriatric Inpatient Services at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics incorporate two inpatient units. One unit cares for the more aggressive patients who are behaviorally acting out. The second unit cares for patients who are depressed, but have fewer behavioral management issues. Consultation services are also available to other in-hospital clinics, to long-term care facility staff, or by physician referral.
What is the outreach service to long-term care facilities?
Through UI Behavioral Health Senior Care, a psychiatrist and a gerontological advanced registered nurse practitioner provide on site service to long-term care and assisted living facilities. These professionals are backed by a complete interdisciplinary team including social workers, rehabilitation therapists, neurobehavioral psychologists, pharmacists and the full spectrum of specialists with University of Iowa Health Care. On-site services to these community facilities include:
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Psychiatric evaluations
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Medication management and follow-up
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Behavior management strategies
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Family consultation
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Assistance with OBRA regulations related to psychotropic management
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In-service training for facility staff
Dr. Judith H. W. Crossett, MD, Ph.D., University of Iowa Health Care physician and Director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Program, provides psychiatric services for aging adults at long-term care facilities. Dr. Crossett, along with Mary Johnson, RN, ARNP, Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Gerontology, works with family members and nursing home residents on-site to investigate each patient's situation. They routinely look at dietary problems, drug interactions or other illnesses that might affect behavior. Teaching modules are also offered to care facility staff through Dr. Crossett's outreach program.
Where can veterans receive services?
Many of the staff at University of Iowa Health Care also assess and treat patients at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Iowa City, IA. Please see their Web pages below for telephone numbers and their location.
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Veteran's Administration Medical Center in Iowa City
