Centra, Central Virginia's Medical Leader

Centra has begun a senior psychiatric program for adults 60 years of age and older. The program is for adults in crisis and in need of immediate care.  The senior psychiatric program provides short-term psychiatric treatment in an acute inpatient setting at Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital.  In addition to stabilizing those in crisis in a safe and secure environment, Centra provides diagnostic evaluations, focused therapy and group counseling. Other services include group psychotherapy, recreational therapy, psychopharmacology, milieu therapy, pastoral counseling, electroconvulsive therapy, physical and social evaluation and family support.

The program offers treatment for seniors suffering from dementia, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety as well as other acute and/or chronic psychiatric conditions.

The goal of the program is to assist the patient in working toward maintaining and improving independence and quality of life.

To achieve this goal, the Centra Senior Psychiatric Program team evaluates the patient’s current disease state, emotions, behaviors, temperament and life story to develop a comprehensive and specialized treatment plan that fits the needs of the patient.  The treatment team includes mental health nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, licensed professional counselors, pastoral counselors and mental health counselors. Peter Betz, M.D., board-certified geriatric psychiatrist with Centra Piedmont Psychiatric Center, is medical director of the program.

Family members or concerned loved ones can access the senior psychiatric program by having the patient evaluated by mental health counselors at the emergency department at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital. Healthcare professionals may call Centra’s Mental Health Intake and Resource Center, 800.947.5442. Centra also provides mental health services for children, adolescents and adults.

Centra’s Senior Psychiatric Program is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia and accredited by the Joint Commission.

For more information, please visit www.centrahealth.com.