Geriatric Psychiatry at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics provides expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness in later life.Improving the quality of life for patients, caregivers, and families is a priority.
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For Psychiatry related requests:
1-319-353-6314
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Emphasis is placed on ensuring that every patient receives the care needed and deserved while preserving and using as much independent function as possible.
Illnesses such as depression and anxiety can also be treated. Physicians in other specialties are consulted frequently, as most older adults have one or more medical conditions and multiple medications.
Dementia, or neurocognitive disorder, includes a group of illnesses with different causes but similar effects. These can include a loss of the brain’s ability to think, remember, and use information. Alzheimer’s is the best-known kind of dementia among many others. Problems that occur in people with dementia may include anxiety, depressed mood,irritability,restlessness, or suspiciousness.
We Can:
Alleviate many of the behavioral and psychological symptoms that are often part of dementia
Help families plan ahead for the needs of their loved one to receive the best andmost dignified care possible
Help recognize need for additional serviceswhen medication can and cannot help
Walk the patient and family through the progression of the illness
Each patient deserves individual care. This includes having their history known, identifying problems to overcome, and acknowledging tragedies survived. Patients also deserve to have their triumphs and losses recognized. These aspects are celebrated and made part of the rest of their lives as fully as possible.
Levels of Care
InpatientServices
Care in the Geriatric Psychiatry Inpatient Unit can help provide an assessment and treatment plan to improve care and quality of life for people with dementia.
The Geriatric Psychiatry Inpatient unit is a 14-bed unit dedicated to the evaluation and treatment of older adults with mental illness, any who have an early onset of a mental disease usually found in old age, and for some medically frail patients with mental illness who don't require the medical psychiatry unit, but benefit from the expertise and quieter atmosphere of the Geriatric Unit.
Beds, hand rails, furniture, lighting, and activity programs are designed to meet the needs of an older population. The attending psychiatrist is often boardcertified in Geriatric Psychiatry, with additional staffing by psychiatrists dually certified in Internal Medicine and Psychiatry or trained in Neuropsychiatry.
All residents in Psychiatry—qualified doctors obtaining specialty training in Psychiatry—are assigned for at least amonth on this unitto know about the special diagnostic and treatment needs of older adults.
A dedicated nursing staff who have expertise in nursing care of older patientsoffer comprehensive observation of patients' functioning and behaviors. Nurses engage patients in activities to increase comfort, learn what causes distress, and what approaches will work best. The physician team works closely with nursing, social work, occupational therapy, activities therapy, music therapy, clinical pharmacists, and others to provide the best evaluation and treatment plan. The goal as a team is always to provide the best quality of life for each patient.
AdditionalServices
Diagnostic and clinical management is available through the Adult Psychiatry Clinic. Outreach services are available to nursing homes in southeast and east-central Iowa, delivered by a Geriatric Psychiatry ARNP who provides consultation, diagnostic, and management services to nursing home patients with collaboration from the hospital Geriatric Psychiatry team.
Neuropsychological and Occupational Therapy testing are also available. It is often necessary for people with dementiato learn about the extent of memory and other cognitive losses throughneuropsychological testing. Neuropsychological testing can also help identify what cognitive strengths remain. It is also crucial to understand problems in daily living skills that can be examined through Occupational Therapy testing.
Our Care Team
Vicki Kijewski MD
- Psychiatry
4.94 out of 5 (129 ratings)
Jill Liesveld MD
- Psychiatry
4.91 out of 5 (121 ratings)
Thomas Wassink MD
- Psychiatry
David Moser PhD, ABPP
- Psychiatry
4.94 out of 5 (52 ratings)
Mary E. Johnson ARNP
- Psychiatry
4.77 out of 5 (177 ratings)
McKenzie Woodyard ARNP
- Psychiatry
4.84 out of 5 (196 ratings)
Not sure which Geriatric Psychiatry provider is right for you?
When you call 1-319-353-6314 we'll help you find a provider who meets your needs.
Call 1-319-353-6314
Adult Psychiatry - Geropsychiatry Unit
1-319-356-7736
Clinic
In
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
Adult Psychiatry Clinic
1911 John Pappajohn Pavilion (JPP)
Level 1, Elevator I
1-319-353-6314
Clinic
In
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
Behavioral Health Clinic
2929 John Pappajohn Pavilion (JPP)
Level 1, Elevator I
1-319-356-8822
Clinic
In
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
Cedar Falls - Orchard Drive
1-319-268-3760
Clinic
In Cedar Falls - Orchard Drive
2624 Orchard Drive, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Psychiatry - Old Capitol Town Center
1-800-777-8442
Clinic
In UI QuickCare – Old Capitol Town Center
201 South Clinton Street, Suite 168, Iowa City, IA 52240
Clinical Trials currently in progress
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A Cognitive Enhancement Program
Participants with cognitive impairment will be introduced to techniques and strategies to help with memory, attention, executive functioning, sleep difficulties, and more. Education will be provided regarding the cognitive effects of aging, dementia, stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), sleep problems, and more.
Patients and adult family members/caregivers are welcome to attend.
