Atlanta’s Leading Depression Treatment Facility for Seniors

Learn more about geriatric depression treatment at Riverwoods Behavioral Health System near Atlanta, GA

Depression is a mental illness that can impact every part of your life. Over 6.5 million Americans who suffer from this treatable mental illness are over the age of 65. While everyone has the occasional bad day, depression is a pervasive feeling of sadness that can overwhelm your ability to emotionally, psychologically, socially, spiritually, mentally and physically cope. Many seniors experience depression as sadness, a lack of self-worth, and decreased self-esteem. They may feel discouraged. Depression, like heart disease, is a treatable condition that with the right management can allow you to live a full productive life.

At our depression treatment facility, we know that there are many reasons you may experience clinical depression and our supportive staff is here to work with you as you begin your journey. Depression isn’t a normal part of aging. Through our validated and scientifically supported hospital care, we can help you to heal.

Why consider treatment for geriatric depression at Riverwoods Behavioral Health System near Atlanta, GA

We employ a team of health care professionals to assist seniors with depression to return to a positive mindset. Hospital treatment for depression is one of the most effective ways of managing depression and our facility team will work with you to create a care plan designed around you.

We’ll take the time to get to know you, the experiences you’ve had, the struggles you’ve faced, your unpleasant feelings, and challenges you are battling so we can work together to create a treatment plan designed for you. We firmly believe that each person is an individual who experiences depression in a unique way and we’re ready to work with you to learn how to help you heal.

Whether your depression is caused by important life changes, such as the death of friends and loved ones or as a result of another mental illness, we aim to work alongside you to pinpoint the cause for your anguish in order to provide a treatment plan designed just for you. Our depression treatment facility near Atlanta, Georgia understands that life events can overwhelm us to the point that we are simply unable to cope. We’re ready to teach you coping mechanisms and provide you a safe environment for you to focus on your healing.

Many have come to us suffering from depression. Though medication management, empirically supported treatment modalities and recreational activities, we have helped them to learn to live again. We’ll work with you to discover how best to help you.

Depression isn’t a death sentence; it’s a treatable condition that can be managed to allow you to lead a life worth living. Don’t let your golden years pass you by. Riverwoods is ready to help.

Riverwoods Behavioral Health System philosophy and treatment benefits

At our facility near Atlanta, Georgia, we want to do right by you. That means spending a great deal of time exploring your emotional pain, any other disorders you may be facing, medical issues you may be coping with, and inconceivable losses you may struggle with. We want you to feel secure as you face your challenges.

We employ a variety of healthcare professionals to assist in your recovery. Our treatment team is comprised of physicians, psychiatrists, nurses, therapists, licensed clinicians and amazing support staff. We’ll use our years of experience in depression treatment to guide you to happier days.

Types of geriatric depression treatment offered at Riverwoods Behavioral Health System near Atlanta, GA

At our hospital, you can feel secure in knowing that you’ll be receiving the best depression treatment available as we are constantly evaluating and learning more about the ways that are most effective to manage this disorder. Most people find that they benefit from a combination of therapies and medication management. Your care plan will be created by you alongside your treatment team of medical professionals, allowing for continued goal-setting and evaluation of our methods.

Medication is often used to manage the symptoms of depression and allow you to focus properly on your healing. Some people may take medication for only a short while as they learn more successful ways of coping. Others may require long-term medication management to prevent relapse and recurrent symptoms of depression. Most times, medications used are anti-depressants to control the symptoms of depression and anti-anxiety agents, which control any feelings of anxiety you are dealing with. You will work with your treatment team to determine if medication is right for you.

At our facility, we are very proud of the therapies we offer. These therapeutic methods have been proven to be effective ways of managing depression and include a variety of therapies and experiential treatments in order to treat the whole person – you. You will discuss the therapies that may be most valuable in your recovery with your treatment team.

Individual therapy will be utilized as a time for you to sit one-on-one with a therapist and discuss the feelings you have and the problems depression has caused in your life. We will work together to determine the root cause for your depression and whether or not you are suffering from another mental illness. You will be able to share your losses and hardships with your therapist and work toward manageable solutions.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is often employed to address the way that negative thought patterns can affect your mood and behaviors. You will work with your therapist to identify these unconstructive thoughts (“I will never get better”) and learn to replace them with more constructive ones (“I am taking steps necessary to get better.”)

Strengths-based counseling helps you uncover the strengths you already possess in order to understand how much power you have within yourself. Strengths-based counseling seeks to empower you to change your life for the better.

Group therapy is a common form of therapy at our hospital as it allows you to share your struggles with others facing similar challenges. Process-based groups often have a theme such as depression or mental illness that allow you to discuss your challenges in a group setting. Psychoeducational groups focus upon teaching you about a specific topic, such as medications or symptoms of depression relapse.

Family therapy is often used to allow loved ones the chance to process their feelings about your depression. We educate your family about symptoms of depression, depression relapse prevention, and coping with their own feelings related to your depression. We will also connect your family with community support to allow for their continued healing and support.

In addition to standard treatments, we offer a number of experiential therapies. These include:

• Art therapy
• Music therapy
• Supportive care
• Reminiscent therapy
• Movement therapy
• Nutritional and health-related counseling
• Horticultural therapy

Continuing care and levels of treatment for geriatric depression

When you have made enough progress during your stay with us that you and your treatment team have determined that you no longer need the structure of a hospital setting, you will work together to determine an appropriate aftercare plan. If you feel as though you’re not quite ready to leave the structured environment of a short-term facility, you may choose to transition to a residential facility. Other people may choose to join our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) or Intensive Outpatient Therapy (IOP) programs. Some may opt to discharge to home. If you discharge to home, we will work with local providers to continue your treatment as well as connect you with community resources available to allow for your continuous healing.

If you or someone you love is suffering from depression, please call our late age depression treatment facility near Atlanta, Georgia for a confidential consultation. We’re happy to help you determine next steps.