Geriatric Services at Rapides Regional Medical Center
Rapides Regional Medical Center
211 Fourth St.
Alexandria, LA 71301
(318) 769-3000
Because senior health problems typically involve multiple health issues, Geriatric Services at Rapides Regional Medical Center offers a multidisciplinary approach to geriatric healthcare that is designed to keep older adults healthy, active, and independent. The complex needs of older patients require a team of health care professionals with expertise in the field of aging to work together to assess the patient’s physical well being and to coordinate care in a variety of settings across the continuum — the physician’s office, the hospital, and the nursing home.
Our facility is committed to partnering with families, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities to meet the needs of our aging population.
Geriatric Services
Our facility offers a wide range of services designed especially for older adults. A multidisciplinary team of professionals have streamlined our admitting and discharge procedures allowing for fast and worry-free admission to our hospitals for patients arriving from nursing homes or assisted-living facilities, including bedside registration through the emergency department and an expedited discharge process. Our physicians, nurses and medical staff are trained to provide state-of-the-art clinical care for the elderly patient. Common geriatric problems treated by our team of specialists include:
- Memory loss and confusion
- Medical problems associated with Alzheimer’s disease
- Frequent falls
- Sleep disturbances
- Chronic pain
- Impaired mobility
- Incontinence
- Osteoporosis
- Adverse drug reactions
- Difficulty coping with losses and transitions
- Geriatric fractures
- Parkinson’s disease
- Wound and ulcer management
Whatever the problem, our professionals will work with each geriatric patient and their family to relieve symptoms while providing a safe, comfortable environment where care and services are carried out in a responsive way.
(318) 769-3000
Inpatient Programs
In response to a need for more specialized geriatric care in a hospital setting, our program provides short-term inpatient treatment to seniors who live at home or in nursing or rehabilitation facilities, providing them with comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care.
Once admitted, a patient is evaluated and receives a comprehensive assessment of their mental and physical needs, to determine the most appropriate treatment. Our health care team uses a multidisciplinary approach to eldercare that includes neurologists, hospitalists, social workers, family physicians, physical therapists and occupational therapists. A plan is developed for each individual patient following treatment and discharge, with the goal of returning patients to their residences as quickly as possible. Because of the importance of family involvement when dealing with an aging family member, counseling and caregiver education are important aspects of our program.
(318) 769-3000
Nursing Home Programs
Outreach services and consultations to nursing homes are offered by Geriatric physicians, who can provide caring treatment to nursing home patients with multiple health issues. In addition to offering on-site consultation and education, clinical services provided to nursing homes include:
- Diagnostic evaluations
- Independent living skills evaluations
- Pharmacotherapy
- Medication for Alzheimer’s disease
Our professional healthcare team is committed to returning geriatric patients to their maximum mental and emotional function, while optimizing independence and quality of life.
(318) 769-3000
