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 Senior
Life Solutions (SLS) is a therapeutic treatment program on site at
LMH for those age 55 and over who are on Medicare, which covers the
cost of SLS services. It is a program serving anyone who fits this
demographic who is experiencing anxiety, depressed mood, grief,
loss, or is dealing with life transitions. No referral is necessary,
and services are confidential. Typically new clients are able to
start the program within days of assessment.
Therapist Katelyn Hill, LCSW, explained that clients
come two to three times a day from one to four days a week. They
meet with her for counseling, receive a free lunch, and meet with
the SLS nurse, Sarah Tierney, RN. Tierney assesses vitals, helps
with medications, communicates with primary care providers, and
generally helps with physical health. “Every day there is a nursing
education component like nutrition, exercise, or infection control,”
Tierney added. An initial meeting with a psychiatrist is also
required and followed up with virtual monthly meetings. Gracie
Becker, SLS Administrative Support, said that SLS typically serves 7
to 8 clients at a time, although they have served up to 10. The
length of the program is dependent on the individual with
participation anywhere from two months to two years. She explained
that some clients experience improvements and move on from the
program, but then “life happens” and they return to SLS for
additional support.
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The current location on the ground floor of LMH was
renovated specifically for use by SLS. Originally, the office suite
was used for billing and accounts with a window for hospital
patients to pay bills in person. The renovated space has a welcome
desk, offices for Hill, Tierney and Medical Director Dr. Black, a
kitchenette, a restroom, and a spacious conference room. Many
visitors to Friday’s open house were LMH colleagues who had not had
an opportunity to tour the SLS space before. According to Hill,
because SLS is technically classified as a psychiatric unit it must
maintain a “closed door” on a daily basis, therefore many LMH
employees had not had access to the space prior to the open house.
SLS will celebrate its fifth anniversary in February and hopes to
host an anniversary event. For more information about SLS or to make
an appointment for an assessment, please call Gracie Becker at
Senior Life Solutions at (217) 605-5750.
[Stephanie Hall] |
