Older Adult Intensive Outpatient Program
Aurora Behavioral Health now offers a specialized group for Arizona residents 55 years and older to address the unique mental health challenges and behavioral responses that are common with aging and transitioning to new stages of life.
Older adults sometimes face mental health challenges when they are adapting to new stages of life. These patients may feel overwhelmed by these challenges, and they may not be able to improve their mental health conditions on their own. In these cases, the patient may need the help of an intensive outpatient program for older adults at a behavioral health hospital. Below, we describe intensive outpatient programs for older adults and detail when an intensive outpatient program is appropriate. We then describe the average day in an outpatient mental health center and share how patients can get started with treatment.
What is an intensive outpatient program (IOP) for older adults?
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) for older adults helps patients access the behavioral health treatment they need without having to enroll in an inpatient program. Patients sometimes need help from a behavioral health professional when they transition to different stages of lfie, such as having grown children leave the home, or when managing ongoing medical conditions. In some cases, patients may need behavioral health treatment for processing trauma they experienced earlier in their lives.
Intensive outpatient programs provide patients with a similar number of clinical hours to what they would receive during an inpatient program. However, instead of staying at a behavioral health hospital for one or more weeks, they can remain in their current living situations. This feature of IOP programs removes many of the difficulties associated with moving to inpatient care, and it can help older adults maintain their existing routines or work schedules as they receive treatment. Part of the reason that people often enroll in IOP is to help deal with the mental health effects of lifestyle changes. It is often beneficial to each patient’s mental health for the patient to maintain familiar aspects of their life during treatment.
At Aurora Behavioral Health, the goal of our intensive outpatient program for older adults is to produce quick and lasting behavioral change. We understand the unique challenges that patients face later in life, and we help these patients achieve their behavioral health goals through comprehensive and individualized treatment plans. We customize each treatment plan with the help of mental health specialists and in-depth mental health assessments for each patient.
Who should consider intensive outpatient programs for mental health treatment?
Intensive outpatient programs can help patients 55+ improve their mental health conditions in a range of situations. Common mental health conditions and challenges that intensive outpatient programs may help with include:
● Loneliness and isolation.
● Depression.
● Grief from loss.
● Difficult relationships with adult children.
● Coping with physical health issues and limitations.
Not all seniors who face the above challenges require care from an intensive outpatient program. If patients believe that they need help to improve their mental health, it is important to reach out to a behavioral health professional for a full assessment.
What does an average day in an intensive outpatient mental health program look like?
At Aurora Behavioral Health, patients follow a schedule that helps them get the most out of their intensive outpatient treatment sessions. Each day is regimented, and visits often feature combined therapy methodologies to keep patients engaged.
The purpose of each therapy session is to help patients better understand and manage their mental health conditions and their behavioral responses to lifestyle changes. Through each session, patients develop stress management and coping skills, and they learn to improve how they process grief. Additionally, for patients who require medication for their mental health, our team pairs therapy sessions with medication management and education sessions.
Another key component of intensive outpatient services is discharge planning. Towards the end of each program, patients and their families work with our caseworkers to ensure a smooth transition out of the program. This work includes ensuring that the patient has a supportive home environment and that the patient's close family members know what to expect. Many discharge plans include continued outpatient sessions that occur on a less frequent basis than in the original program.
Getting started at Aurora Behavioral Health
Aurora Behavioral Health is a behavioral health hospital and outpatient clinic that serves patients across Arizona. We feature two treatment locations. The Aurora West Campus is in Glendale, AZ, and the Aurora East Campus is in Tempe, AZ. Currently, this program is available at our Tempe, AZ location.
At Aurora Behavioral Health, our team members have decades of combined experience helping patients cope with behavioral health challenges and improve their mental health. We understand that seniors face many difficulties as they transition to new stages of their lives, and we are here to help these individuals navigate those changes.
If the Older Adult Intensive Outpatient Program may be right for you or a loved one, the first step towards treatment is getting in touch with our team. You can call our team directly at (877) 870-7012 or contact us online. When you get in touch with our team, we can help answer any questions you may have about our facilities and programs. Additionally, we can help schedule you or a loved one for a free mental health assessment. The results from a free mental health assessment allow our clinical team to understand the patient's needs and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.