Breaking the Stigma: Summers County Hospital’s Open House for New Senior Care Initiative

HINTON W.Va. (Hinton News) – On Sept. 20, Summers County Appalachian Regional Hospital held an open house for its new Senior Care program. Jessica Harbert spoke on the purpose and benefits of the program.

Harbert explained that the program is designed for people 65 and older as you have to have Medicare Part B to qualify. You don’t have to be a senior to participate, however, since some people have been disabled since youth, Harbert explained.  These people also will get Medicare through a parent or another way making them eligible.

Harbert went on to explain that an intensive Outpatient program is something that is being offered to group, family and individual Therapy to those who are suffering from all different kinds of things. For, explain anxiety, loss of a loved one or something that hasn’t been diagnosed yet by a doctor.  If a patient is feeling a certain kind of way and having trouble knowing how to cope we can do what is called a determination of treatment. They’re set up with an appointment to see a psychiatrist,  which is by telehealth. Then they would come here to the hospital to see a doctor.  The doctor would talk to them and determine which therapy they need, whether it be an actual IOP which is 3 or 4 days a week amounting to at least 9 hours a week.  They could also end up being an outpatient.

“Our therapist Jeanette can determine if someone needs individual, or group therapy. Once admitted To the program they can get individual and family therapy if it’s going to help through the healing. It’s also free of cost if a patient has Medicare Part B and the appropriate supplemental insurance or secondary insurance there’s nothing out of pocket. We provide them with a meal. We do extra things for them here like transportation for patients who have a hard time getting here. They can be picked up if they’re within a 40-mile radius of the hospital.  We’re working on making our space bigger but currently, we can accommodate up to 12 people with one therapist. Eventually, people will graduate out and we will move other people in. Of course, we will keep checking on the ones leaving.”

A lot of people don’t like the word depression and We’re trying to kill the stigma.  It helps them to see other people have the same problems they have. At home, they may have started to feel isolated and alone. Here they can see others are suffering as well. That’s a big benefit of group therapy, Ms Harbert said.

Also providing information was James with Ultra Group Healthcare.

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