DYERSVILLE, Iowa (KCRG) — Seniors struggling with depression, anxiety or other mental health challenges have a new center to get help in Dyersville.
The MercyOne Dyersville Medical Center launched Senior Life Solutions in partnership with Psychiatric Medical Care (PMC) this spring, giving older adults a way to cope with the changes that come with age.
“Everybody experiences life changes but with the older population, a lot of those life changes are almost permanent,” said PMC Senior Life Solutions regional director Bobbie Rowe. “It may be moving into a new living situation because they need more help or having more assistance in the home or a new health diagnosis, loss of a loved one, those are all things that can trigger some signs of symptoms of depression.”
Rowe said the program is designed to break down the stigma of therapy through group sessions three times a week, plus individual therapy services and help managing medications.
“We want them to know it’s okay to not be okay to come in and ask for help, and that is one thing that makes our program great without needing a doctor’s order, patients can actually call and get more information about the program and see if this program is what they need,” Rowe said.
Brandy Martin, PMC corporate community education director, said the group therapy format helps break down the stigma of talking about mental health problems.
“We’re definitely wanting to normalize the conversation of mental health because in past times, and still very present, it doesn’t feel normal to talk about not being OK, so that’s why the peer group is so important in our model that we have for them,” Martin said.
These services were not available in Dyersville before this program, according to Rowe, forcing seniors to travel to Dubuque or further for help.
“For older adults that may be struggling with life changes, they may have gotten a new health diagnosis. They may have some depression or anxiety. They just need that extra support and we are here to provide that,” said Rowe.
Martin said the length of the program differs from person to person.
“I love to say that each participant gets out what they put into the program, so it is work that they have to put in. Our ultimate goal is to improve their overall quality of life,” said Martin.
Lives changing since April
Patient coordinator Morgan Thomas said she has seen lives change since the program began in April.
“We see some patients come in and they’re really down and then within a couple sessions, their moods are improving. They’re excited to come to group. They’re excited to interact with other people when they weren’t excited to interact with people,” Thomas said.
Rowe said anyone can refer a patient to the program, including a health care professional, family member or friend.
“I’ve had more than one in my history with the company that has come up to me and said, ‘I am glad I gave us a shot because I was skeptical. I did not like the group therapy idea, but I gave it a chance, and I am living better than I had been living for many years,’” Rowe recalled. “It’s those type of moments that makes you realize that what we’re doing works.”
For more information, call Senior Life Solutions at MercyOne Dyersville Medical Center, 563-875-2963.
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