About the Geriatric Neuropsychiatry Unit Treatment Team

Each individual is assigned a highly specialized, compassionate treatment team. The treatment team works together towards the goal of helping your loved one stabilize so they can safely move to a less-intensive level of care. Our treatment teams are composed of:

• Medical director, a geriatric psychiatrist who oversees all geriatric services at Sheppard Pratt.
• Attending psychiatrist, a geriatric psychiatrist who works directly with the service chief in providing care to patients.
• Unit manager, a nurse who is responsible for program development, milieu activities, and day-to-day function of the program.
• Social worker, who is your primary contact and liaison. The social worker attends daily treatment team meetings, and will keep you informed about your loved one’s clinical progress. The social worker will also work with you to obtain a family history in order to get a holistic view of your loved one. The social worker also facilitates discharge planning, ensuring there is a continuation of care once your loved one leaves the hospital.
• Music therapist, who works with individuals to help them safely express thoughts and feelings, foster coping skills, learn how to problem solve, and engage in impulse control. Music therapy sessions occur most days, and can include karaoke and drumming groups.
• Occupational therapist, who facilitates activities to help individuals learn how to meet their physical, emotional, and cognitive needs. Occupational therapists help people improve interpersonal and social skills, cognition and thought, and even sensory functions.
• Psychiatric nurses, who help individuals with their daily activities, managing their symptoms, and any medical concerns. Psychiatric nurses are also responsible for medication administration.
• Mental health workers, who are trained staff members that assist with direct patient care and activities of daily living (ADLs).