Physicians Guide
Target Population
• Patients 55+ years of age
• Patients living independently, in assisted living, or nursing homes
• Patients who have the ability to learn and process new information
Presenting Symptoms:
• Depression
• Excessive guilt
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Social withdrawal
• Thoughts of suicide
• Anxiety
• Lack of energy
• Panic attacks
• Sleep disturbance
• Phobias
• Appetite disturbance
• Mood swings
• Poor concentration
• Delusions
• Slowed thinking
• Hallucinations
Common Patient Situations: Does the patient…
• Repeatedly call or visit your office with vague, shifting complaints such as fatigue and pain? Is there no medical basis for these complaints?
• Have chronic medical problems, such as diabetes or COPD, comply poorly with treatment, and seem hopeless?
• Have a history of loss of spouse with extended grief reaction?
• Present with complaints of memory/concentration problems or deteriorating cognitive status without a history of dementia?
• Seek out multiple doctors requesting pain or anxiety medication?
• Present often to the Emergency Room with panic symptoms?
• Reside in a nursing home and present as irritable, withdrawn, and refusing activities? If the answer to any of these questions is “YES” please consider a referral to our new Life Transitions unit in Toppenish, Washington.