The patients and care providers of Senior Haven, White River Medical Center’s (WRMC) Geriatric Psychiatric Program, have recently moved into their newly renovated and expanded space that many are saying truly feels like a haven.
Senior Haven is a program that provides 24 hour nursing and medical care to patients 55 and older affected by emotional or behavioral health issues. The former area where Senior Haven was located was equipped to accommodate 12 patients. “The space we were in was getting very tight,” said Tom Stalf, Program Director of Behavioral Services at White River Health System.
The new area, which is located on WRMC’s second floor, is much larger and was designed so that caregivers can be more efficient in their work, leading to improved patient satisfaction. “Our goal for the new space was to create a more home-like atmosphere that is conducive to therapy,” said Stalf.
The unit size has increased from 12 to 16 beds, with each semi-private room containing a private shower as opposed to the community shower in the old unit. Previously, one large area encompassed the dayroom, where patients watched television and ate meals; the group room, where therapy and activities took place; and the Treatment Team Room, where physicians, nurses, nurse managers, social workers, and families gathered to speak about the patients’ treatment plans. The new space allows each of these rooms to be separated into their own area so each activity can take place without interruption.
“Patients in the unit have commented about how much more spacious it is. They really enjoy the areas being separated because they feel like they have a choice in where they want to participate,” said Nancy Mitchell, BSN, RN, Senior Haven Clinical Nurse Manager. “Patients also take advantage of the larger space to get some exercise. We have some that walk laps around the unit for exercise, something they did not have the liberty to do in the old space.”
Another freedom afforded by the new space is the ability for patients to do their own laundry under supervision, which, according to Mitchell, adds a sense of normalcy and familiarity to patients’ lives. “It’s a form of therapy for some patients, especially those who have dementia or Alzheimer’s. It’s important that patients continue to perform daily living activities,” she said.
The new Senior Haven also provides benefits to employees and family members. The extra space makes room for nurses to have a larger, state-of-the-art nursing station. Also, family members now have lockers to put their belongings in so they no longer have to carry them inside the unit.
With all the additional room, the caregivers in Senior Haven look forward to providing more quality patient services in the future. The staff of Senior Haven is pleased that WRMC is dedicated to make the necessary changes to meet the needs of the older adults in the unit and is thankful to all the volunteers and employees who dedicated their time to make the transition to the new Senior Haven go smoothly.
WRMC is a 250-bed regional referral center and the flagship facility of White River Health System (WRHS). WRHS is a not-for-profit healthcare system serving residents throughout North Central Arkansas. The system includes hospitals, outpatient facilities, primary care and specialty physician office practices and a medical equipment company. White River Health System is a member of the Premier Alliance, the American Hospital Association, and the Arkansas Hospital Association and licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health.
