The Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center Older Adult Services (OAS) program provides mental health services to Marion County residents 60 years and older who have a serious mental illness or challenge with addictions. Clients may be seen at the 1700 N. Illinois St. location or seen at nursing homes, retirement homes and assisted living facilities. OAS staff includes psychiatric clinicians, nurses, care coordinators, support specialists, nurse practitioners and psychiatrists.
Upon intake a client’s strengths and needs are assessed and a treatment plan is developed to meet those needs. A care coordinator helps clients navigate through treatment options. Clients may be offered a variety of services including individual therapy, group therapy, skill building, case management, Behavioral Primary Health Care Coordination, Adult Mental Health Habilitation and psychiatric follow along. Acute services (inpatient and crisis services) are also available through Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center's continuum of treatment.
The philosophy of treatment is based on the Recovery and Strengths treatment models in which individuals are evaluated in the context of their strengths and supports. Treatment is individualized and clients may benefit from evidenced-based practices such as the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and the PEARL program, which offer specialized treatment for depression. Case management and skill building training is offered to individuals who may not benefit from traditional therapies. The goal of treatment is to keep the older adult as independent and as well as possible.