Given the aging of the baby-boomers, in 1997, Sudbury Pines Extended Care responded to the growing need for behavioral care. Patients being admitted are more active and physically capable than before. If some behavioral residents were able, the fear was that they would exit the premises and be put in harm’s way. Many could easily be mistaken for guests and therefore unsuspecting visitors may even assist them by holding doors and escorting them out. We needed to protect this unique population, who required a safe space and not be put at risk if left to reside on the long term care unit. Sudbury Pines has never been a facility that ever used physical restraints, so for the safety of our behaviorally impaired residents, we created a Secured unit including a fenced in courtyard.
The Secured Unit located on Station II has:
- Different staffing pattern to manage the monitoring needs of the population
- Therapeutic Activities 7 days a week from 8AM to 8PM designed for the varied patient populations we cater to – Low, Moderate, and High level functioning
- Separate dining room and activities space
- Shared programs with the Station I population for group entertainment and socialization
- Mental Health Workers who consult on medication management and behavior management
- Exercise Programs
- Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy as needed
- Specialized trained staff to assist with folks who have unique behavior
The Behavior Impairment unit integrates both Psychiatric and Medical Treatment needs:
- Psychiatric evaluation and management/modification of medications, labs, behavior plans
- Medical evaluation and management especially as it could impact behavior escalation and change
- Care Plan development
- Education of staff and caregivers as well as loved ones in disease process and management
- Psychopharmacological assessment and treatment goal coordination
- Integration of rehabilitative services such as Physical, Occupational, Speech and Recreational therapy
- Nutritional oversight and evaluation
- Inpatient hospital transfer and oversight for acute episodes that require intense symptom management