Westminster’s Leading Senior Adult Inpatient Treatment Program

Opening December 2024

West Pines Behavioral Hospital in Westminster, Colorado, offers inpatient programming tailored specifically for senior adults age 65 and older. In this program, senior adults receive customized, age-appropriate care that is designed to meet them where they are in their healing journey. 

Inpatient Programming for Senior Adults in Westminster, Colorado

When senior adults are in a state of crisis or need immediate care for mental health concerns, West Pines Behavioral Hospital offers acute inpatient services so that they can get the help they need as quickly as possible. 

In the senior adult inpatient program at our Westminster, Colorado, hospital, we provide care for individuals age 65 and older who are suffering from mental health concerns such as: 

  • Bipolar disorder 
  • Depression 
  • Anxiety 
  • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 
  • Schizophrenia  
  • Schizoaffective disorder 

Additionally, we offer care for people who are struggling with addictions to various substances, including: 

  • Alcohol 
  • Opioids 
  • Benzodiazepines 
  • Barbiturates 

If a senior adult patient is actively using drugs or alcohol and needs detoxification services prior to starting the other aspects of inpatient programming, we offer on-site medical detox services that typically last three to five days.  

The average length of stay in the senior adult inpatient program is 15-20 days; however, the actual length of time a person stays in our Westminster inpatient hospital may be shorter or longer depending on their specific needs. 

What Senior Adult Patients Can Expect During Inpatient Treatment

Providing the utmost in quality care is our primary goal at West Pines Behavioral Hospital. In order to do this, we use evidence-based therapeutic methods to give our patients the best possible chance at full healing. 

While in our senior adult inpatient program, patients receive individualized treatment plans that are tailored specifically to their needs. Because they are personalized, one patient’s plan of care may look different than another’s. Some of the services that can be included in these customized plans are basic medical care, medication-assisted treatment, group therapy, and experiential therapies. 

We recognize that some senior adult patients may have physical medical needs that require attention, so we offer basic medical care on a case-by-case basis. Patients typically meet with a nurse practitioner within 24 hours of admission and then have follow-up sessions as needed. Examples of the type of conditions that we are able to care for include wounds that do not require any type of packing and a flow of oxygen of 6 lpm and below. We are also able to administer IV fluids and respiratory nebulizer treatments. 

Group therapy is the main method of care we use in our senior adult inpatient program in Westminster, Colorado. Our team runs a total of four groups each day, which may be combined with experiential therapies. Most of the groups we offer are psychoeducation, and the sessions are led by licensed or master’s-level therapists. The types of topics that senior adult patients may discuss include things like coping skills, trauma, triggers, and healthy boundaries. In addition to providing patients with time to work with qualified mental health professionals in a structured setting, participating in group therapy also gives people a chance to come together with other patients who may be facing similar challenges. They have an opportunity to receive support from their peers, as well as provide support to others. Developing this sense of community can eliminate feelings of isolation, which is an extremely beneficial part of the overall healing process. 

Experiential therapy is a type of therapy that gives patients an opportunity to express themselves in a setting outside of talk therapy. At our senior adult inpatient hospital in Westminster, Colorado, we offer art therapy and recreational therapy. These therapies are mixed in with our other group therapy sessions, offering patients a truly well-rounded experience at our hospital. 

Medication management services are also available for senior adult patients who are taking medication as part of their care plan. Patients meet with a psychiatrist within the first 24 hours of admission and then every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, as well as at the time of discharge. Depending on the type of medication they are taking and how often they need to take it, patients may receive medication management services outside of the Monday to Friday schedule. Psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners determine the appropriate medication and provide the prescription, and then the medications are administered and the effects are monitored by registered nurses. 

Types of Therapies Used in Our Senior Adult Inpatient Program

Providing evidence-based therapy is crucial to making sure that patients get the high-quality care they need. In our senior adult inpatient program, we use a number of different types of approaches to treatment, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a therapeutic modality that teaches patients how to recognize problematic thought patterns and work toward changing them. This can help them learn how to reframe negative thoughts which can ultimately play a role in changing their behaviors and finding relief from some of the distressing symptoms they are experiencing. 

Motivational interviewing is a method that behavioral health professionals use to help patients come to understand the internal motivations they have to make change. Taking part in motivational interviewing allows patients to set goals and work toward resolving insecurities and stressful emotions by increasing their motivation to change. This type of therapy focuses on what is most important to the patient. 

The types of therapies used in our senior adult inpatient program will vary depending on the patient’s needs and their individualized treatment plan. The goal of our programming is to ensure that all aspects of a patient’s therapeutic process align with their goals so that they can be successful on their healing journey. 

Features of Our Westminster Senior Adult Inpatient Program

West Pines Behavioral Hospital offers a safe environment where senior adults can get the care they need in a comfortable, inviting space. 

Individuals who receive care in our senior adult inpatient program can benefit from the following: 

  • Comprehensive assessment: In order to make sure that every patient gets the tailored care they need, we provide a comprehensive assessment so that we can learn each patient’s full background. This assessment may include questions regarding their presenting symptoms, their medical history, their social interactions, and whether they have received treatment before.  
  • Easy admissions process: We recognize that starting treatment can be an intimidating decision, so we aim to make sure that our admissions process is easy and streamlined so that we can start providing care as quickly as possible.  
  • Ongoing supervision and monitoring: One of the benefits of receiving care in an inpatient program is that patients are surrounded by experienced professionals 24/7 who can provide the support they need through each step of the treatment process. 
  • Aftercare planning: We want all our patients to be successful on their healing journeys. For this reason, we offer in-depth aftercare planning so that they are set up with the resources they need to help them once their time in our senior adult inpatient program has come to an end. 

Our Dedicated Team Members

At West Pines Behavioral Hospital in Westminster, Colorado, our team is dedicated to helping every patient find lasting healing.  

Our compassionate staff have experience in many different areas of the behavioral healthcare field. The team members that senior adult patients may have the opportunity to work with include: 

  • Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) 
  • Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) 
  • Licensed associate counselors (LACs) 
  • Behavioral health technicians 
  • Mental health certified nursing assistants (CNAs) 
  • Registered nurses (RNs) 
  • Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) 
  • Psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs) 
  • Medical nurse practitioners (NPs) 
  • Psychiatrists 
  • Recreational therapists 

We also have one licensed therapist who is a registered yoga teacher. 

By having the opportunity to work with so many qualified professionals, patients in our senior adult inpatient program benefit from receiving comprehensive services that are tailored to meet their unique needs. 

Learn More

Making the decision to receive care for a behavioral health concern is a brave step. Our team recognizes the courage it takes, and we are here to support you every step of the way. 

If you have any questions about inpatient treatment, the services we offer, the features of our senior adult inpatient program, or how to begin the admissions process, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help you make the best decision for yourself or a loved one. 

This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at West Pines Behavioral Hospital.