Compassionate Care for Mind and Spirit

by Michelle Aliprantis

At Lower Bucks Hospital, we understand that mental health is an integral part of overall well-being. It influences our physical health, relationships, work, and overall quality of life. Our dedicated Behavioral Health Units provide compassionate, specialized care for adults and seniors facing a wide spectrum of behavioral health challenges. With a focus on stabilization, education, and sustained recovery, we are a beacon of hope and healing for our community, committed to destigmatizing mental health care and making it accessible to all who need it.

The Adult Behavioral Health Unit: A Foundation for Recovery

Our Behavioral Health Unit offers a welcoming 27-bed inpatient environment designed for adults seeking short-term, intensive treatment to navigate acute mental health crises. Here, individuals can find expert support for conditions such as major depression, various forms of psychosis, bipolar disorder, severe anxiety disorders, and other related challenges that significantly impact daily functioning. We firmly believe in a holistic approach to healing, recognizing that recovery extends beyond symptom management. This comprehensive care is delivered by a dedicated multidisciplinary team. This team comprises experienced psychiatrists who oversee medication management and diagnosis, skilled social workers who facilitate discharge planning and community resource connections, compassionate registered nurses providing 24/7 direct care, dedicated mental health technicians offering continuous support, and insightful individual and group therapists who guide patients through evidence-based interventions. Together, they craft comprehensive care plans meticulously tailored to each patient's unique needs, focusing on personal strengths and goals.

A cornerstone of our program is empowering both patients and their families through education. We strive to foster a deeper understanding of mental health conditions, dispel misconceptions, and equip individuals with effective coping strategies, self-care techniques, and relapse prevention tools. Furthermore, our team diligently works to develop robust, personalized follow-up plans, ensuring a seamless transition and continuity of care post-discharge into outpatient settings or community support programs.

Our Adult Treatment Services include:

  • 24-hour monitoring and supervision: Ensuring a consistently safe, structured, and therapeutic environment for all patients.
  • Comprehensive diagnostic assessment and evaluation: Utilizing advanced psychiatric and psychological tools to accurately identify and understand each patient's specific needs and co-occurring conditions.
  • Individual consultations with a psychiatrist: Providing personalized medical oversight, medication stabilization, and ongoing treatment adjustments based on patient progress.
  • Medication stabilization and management: Expert guidance in optimizing therapeutic outcomes while minimizing side effects, coupled with thorough patient education.
  • Individual and group therapies: Offering diverse therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills, and supportive therapy, fostering personal growth, shared understanding, and practical skill development.
  • Management of co-occurring medical needs: Recognizing the intricate interconnectedness of physical and mental health, our unit is equipped to manage concurrent medical conditions to ensure holistic patient well-being.
  • Patient and family education: Equipping everyone with vital knowledge, resources, and communication strategies for long-term well-being and recovery support.
  • Support with discharge and aftercare planning: Creating a seamless transition back to community life with robust connections to outpatient services, support groups, and other essential resources.

We are here to provide critical intervention if you or someone you care about is experiencing acute challenges such as self-harm or suicidal thoughts, explicit threats to others (including verbal aggression), increased agitation or disruptive behavior, rapid mood instability, significant psychotic symptoms like hallucinations or delusions, profound changes in thought patterns, or concerning shifts in weight, severe sleep disruptions, or pervasive social withdrawal impacting daily function.

Specialized Care for Our Seniors: The Senior Behavioral Health Unit (SBHU)

Understanding the unique and often complex mental health needs of older adults, our Senior Behavioral Health Unit (SBHU) offers a specialized 18-bed inpatient unit specifically designed for seniors (typically age 55+) voluntarily seeking behavioral health services. We recognize that mental health challenges in later life can manifest differently and often coincide with physical health issues or significant life transitions. We provide expert, age-appropriate care for a range of conditions, including various forms of psychosis, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and acute psychiatric symptoms that may pose risks to themselves or others. Importantly, we also accommodate patients with co-occurring substance use disorders that are related to their psychiatric conditions; however, it is vital to clarify that we are not a detox unit, but rather focus on the underlying mental health aspects once acute withdrawal symptoms are managed elsewhere.

The Senior Behavioral Health Program Offers:

  • Individual and family therapy: Tailored support that considers the unique developmental stage and family dynamics of seniors and their loved ones.
  • Group activity therapy: Engaging activities structured to promote cognitive stimulation, social interaction, emotional expression, and physical well-being, designed with senior capabilities in mind.
  • Anger and stress coping skills training: Empowering seniors with practical, adaptable tools to manage emotional challenges and enhance resilience.
  • Medication education: Ensuring a clear and comprehensive understanding of medication regimens, potential side effects, and adherence strategies, crucial for this population.
  • Family educational resources: Providing invaluable support and guidance for caregivers, addressing their unique challenges and empowering them to support their loved ones effectively.

Seeking care in the SBHU can be particularly beneficial if you or a loved one are experiencing persistent and worsening depression or anxiety, uncharacteristic increased agitation or aggression, disorganized or disordered thinking, significant and disruptive changes in sleep patterns, pronounced difficulties adjusting to major life changes (such as retirement, relocation, or health decline), thoughts or plans of harming self or others, severe neglect of personal hygiene, heightened fear of being alone, debilitating grief from the loss of a loved one that impacts daily function, or a profound reduction in enjoyment or participation in daily activities.

Accessible Support When You Need It Most

We believe that access to mental health care should be as straightforward as possible. For admissions and general inquiries regarding our comprehensive behavioral health services, please do not hesitate to call our dedicated line at (267) 229-3890. Our team is available to answer your questions and guide you through the admission process.

For immediate crisis assistance, our Behavioral Health Crisis Center, conveniently located within our Emergency Department, is open and staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Here, individuals receive prompt, compassionate evaluation and expert treatment recommendations, often facilitating direct admissions to our inpatient units when clinically indicated. For urgent crisis support, please reach out to (215) 785-9765. This direct line connects you to professionals who can provide immediate guidance and support.

Referrals for admission are welcomed from various sources, reflecting our commitment to integrated community care. These include primary care physicians, specialists, home health or social service agencies, other inpatient or outpatient facilities, or directly from homes and residences when families recognize a need. We accept admissions around the clock, prioritizing urgent needs. While some referrals may be directed through our Emergency Department to ensure a comprehensive initial assessment and stabilization, our goal is always to provide the most appropriate and timely care.

At Lower Bucks Hospital, we are deeply dedicated to fostering mental wellness and supporting the overall health of every individual in our community. Your well-being is not just a priority, but our mission, and we are here to walk alongside you on your journey to recovery and sustained mental health.