Assisted Living

Dawn Friedland-Perez, LCSW

(631) 736-7707

Integration of Psychotherapy and Brain Health Services:

in the Assisted Living Facility environment.

Objective

The objective of this program is to assist with resident retention and comprehensive care in the Assisted Living Facility. We accomplish this goal through the provision of psychotherapy and brain health services.

Candidates for Referrals

Residents often have trouble coping with real life transitions that lead to adjustment problems, changes in mood, and possible behavioral disturbances.

  • The recent loss of a home or loved one, giving up the responsibility of taking care of finances, increased dependency due to medical decline, or watching others around them decline physically and mentally can lead to adjustment problems and mood decline.
  • Symptoms may include depression, anxiety, or behavioral problems.
  • Most residents referred are struggling with depression, withdrawal, noncompliance with medication, uncooperativeness, verbal and physical abusiveness, tearfulness, anxiety, loss issues, psychosis, and antisocial behavior.

More powerful reactions of residents suggest even more complicated difficulties.

  • Major depression may be accompanied by feelings of hopelessness, decline in caring for activities of daily living (ADLs), and a preoccupation with death.
  • Anxiety disorders are accompanied by intense fear or worry.
  • Personality disorders are self-defeating and can lead to increased conflict and alienation due to the suspicious nature of these residents.
  • Psychosis may be present in those with schizophrenia or dementia as exhibited by delusions or hallucinations.

Decline in Brain Health can lead to:

  • Poor judgment leading to unsafe behaviors such as: keeping things in the microwave too long, smoking or overindulgence of alcoholic beverages, to name a couple.
  • Decline in awareness of appropriate personal hygiene.

  • A decrease in socialization.
  • Impaired judgment about physical abilities can lead to poor coordination, balance issues and falls.

Brain Health & Neurofeedback

For information on neurofeedback and brain health, please visit:
 
Neurofeedback
Brain Health

Psychotherapy Services

The environment, interactions with others, and support systems are important in helping to eliminate adjustment problems and psychological disturbances. Psychotherapy services can be a part of the support system and the interdisciplinary team.

  • Psychotherapy services incorporate several techniques in which the therapist establishes a professional relationship with the patient.
  • Through therapeutic communication, attempts are made to alleviate the emotional disturbances, reverse or change maladaptive patterns of behavior,encourage personal growth and development, or support the current level of functioning.
  • We will follow the guidelines of confidentiality while providing feedback about each resident to administration.
  • We will be available to meet with the team to assist with treatment plans and goals.
  • We will be available to participate in family meetings with the resident and team to assist with treatment plans and goals.

Resident Retention and Comprehensive Care

Providing the resident with interdisciplinary interventions decreases the adjustment period and increases the quality of life leading to resident and family satisfaction.

  • As a team, we will find out residents’ concerns about environmental issues and their sense of purpose, providing the residents’ input to administration, and implementing programs that can increase resident satisfaction.
  • Interdisciplinary interventions and goals can be put into place by using your consultant’s knowledge about behavior modification techniques that can be tailored to specific residents.
  • The team needs to agree about resident care, so the resident and family will feel safe and cared for.
  • This involvement will accelerate therapeutic goals and increase the quality of life for the resident, leading to continued retention.
  • Families considering your facility will recognize the comprehensive approach, easing their feelings of guilt or sadness, while at the same time appreciating the professional approach used to assist with the adjustment period all residents face.
  • This service is an excellent marketing tool in addition to the list of many beneficial services already offered by the facility, at no additional cost to your facility.

Putting Services in Place

  • We follow the referral protocol established by your facility.
  • Referrals can be made by any staff member or family member who feels that a resident is experiencing emotional problems, has problems adjusting, or has asked for emotional support.
  • The resident must have the capacity to be an active participate in therapy sessions.
  • We accept Medicare and other HMOs as payment. Some services are not reimbursable through insurance.
  • No prescription is needed.