The Senior Behavioral Health Unit (SBHU) at Chestnut
Hill Hospital is a 20-bed, inpatient care unit serving
adults 65 years of age or older who voluntarily seek
behavioral health services and require a short inpatient
stay. Treatment is available for a variety of conditions
including, but not limited to depression, psychosis,
bipolar disorder and anxiety.
The SBHU is designed to educate patients and families
to better manage their conditions and ongoing recovery
by developing healthier coping skills and a safe and
secure follow-up plan for post discharge care.
Our bodies change as we age, and so do our minds. Seniors
face an increased risk of mental challenges, including clinical
depression and memory impairment. But there’s good news –
in most cases, these conditions can be successfully treated and
managed with specialized care. The skilled clinical staff at
Chestnut Hill Hospital provides hope and healing.
Senior Behavioral Health Program offers patients:
- Individual and Family Therapy
- Group and Activity Therapy
- Anger and Stress Coping Skills
- Medication Education
- Family Education
Senior Behavioral Health is appropriate if you, or a loved
one is experiencing an escalation or worsening of ongoing
systems of any of the following:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Agitation or aggression
- Disordered thinking
- Change in sleep habits
- Change in enjoyment
and participation in
daily activities
- Lack of attention to
personal hygiene
- Increased fear of being
alone
- Grief (Not adjusting to
the loss of a loved one)
- Poor adjustment to
change
- Wanting to harm others
Senior Behavioral Health Team
Psychiatrist Joseph D'Antonio, M.D., medical director,
SBHP, has more than 34 years of experience and has
expertise in geriatric psychiatry and neurology.
Social Workers provide individual and group sessions,
family counseling and serve as patient advocates.
Registered Nurses implement, monitor and evaluate
treatments and/or medications. Nurses provide
education on topics such as nutrition and medication.
Recreational Therapists lead individual and group
experiences using art and music encouraging healthy
emotional expression. Therapists identify leisure skills
that will help to regain a healthy lifestyle.
Behavioral Health Technicians assist with basic care
needs and provide patients with support to achieve
therapeutic goals.