In a continuous effort to provide the best in health and wellness care for people of all ages, Callaway District Hospital began partnering with the Senior Life Solutions program in 2021 to offer mental health services for the area’s older adults. On March 19, the community came together to celebrate this specialized care at the Callaway medical facility, nearly five years to the day from the program’s launch.

The program is an intensive outpatient group therapy program designed to meet the unique needs of senior adults struggling with symptoms of depression and anxiety, stress from age-related health concerns, or difficult life transitions such as the loss of a loved one. Individuals may benefit from the Senior Life Solutions program if they are experiencing any of the following common indicators or triggers of depression and anxiety:

• Recently experienced a traumatic event

• Lost a spouse or close family member

• Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities

• Changes in appetite

• Difficulty sleeping

• Loss of energy

• Feelings of sadness or grief lasting more than two weeks

• Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness Following an individual assessment, patients meet up to three times per week in a supportive, encouraging group setting. The program staff includes a board-certified psychiatrist, licensed social workers, a registered nurse, and other healthcare professionals dedicated to the emotional well-being of seniors in the community.

Referrals to the program can be made by anyone, including a patient’s physician, family member, the patient, or another healthcare professional. This program first went live in Callaway on Monday, March 1, 2021. A space within the main hospital and clinic building was set aside for the purpose until the new facility addition, which was under construction at the time, was completed. The first patient was admitted to Senior Life Solutions at Callaway District Hospital on March 21, 2021.

“We are glad to be celebrating five years, and one of the things we are celebrating is the positive changes that have been made in mental health awareness,” said Kelly Herbig, SLS Program Director. “Some of the changes we are working on is reducing the stigma so people are more comfortable talking about their mental health and reaching out when they need to. It is more of an issue for the senior population because the era they grew up in was much more stoic. A lot of them are carrying baggage that they have carried for decades.”

Herbig shared an alarming statistic, that suicide attempts of individuals age 85 and above are the most successful. She said that is because they are often isolated and they plan well.

Janel Brestel serves as the Office Patient Coordinator for Callaway’s Senior Life Solutions. “It is a wonderful program, and we are so fortunate to have such a great program in our rural community for seniors,” said Brestel. “I just adore working with our older population - it’s something that is near and dear to my heart.”

Jerri Phillips is the program therapist in Callaway. All three ladies have been with Senior Life Solutions since its inception in the community.

For more information, call the Callaway District Hospital and Medical Clinics Senior Life Solutions program at 308-836-2153.