Specialty Care for Seniors
Memorial Hermann Southwest recognizes that our senior clientele is unique and deserves specialized services dedicated to its needs. We are proud to offer hospital units designed with the needs of senior patients in mind.
Video Tour
Watch this three minute video tour of the Senior Unit at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital in Houston.
Senior Emergency Center
Our Senior Emergency Center is located on the 1st floor, near our existing Emergency Center. It serves the emergency medical needs of patients age 65 and older.
This specialized ER offers more privacy and a dedicated medical team. The doctors, nurses, and clinical staff are a group of passionate caregivers who strive to provide what patients need in an environment specially designed for seniors.
Families of senior patients have access to a private waiting room, and patient triage rooms are also larger with amenities such as thicker mattresses, new furniture, and enlarged wall clocks.
The Senior Emergency Center works very closely with our hospital's Senior Medicine unit and Senior Behavioral Care unit to accommodate patients who need to be admitted into the hospital.
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Senior Medicine Unit
For senior patients who have an acute condition requiring hospitalization, we offer a Senior Medicine Unit, located on the 6th floor of the hospital.
Our medical staff includes a dedicated, inter-disciplinary team of health care providers. The Senior Medicine team is a group of very passionate caregivers, who constantly meet to re-evaluate processes in order to ensure that the very best patient experiences and expectations are met. We focus on the prevention of complications and promotion of physical function and independence.
Renovated Hospital Wings
We offer two renovated wings of the hospital, designed to meet the medical needs of seniors. The unit provides:
- Comfortable, private hospital beds
- Highly qualified staff and dedicated nurse practitioner
- Library and lounge available for family and caregiver use
Ailments
Typical diagnoses admitted to the Senior Medicine unit include patients 55 years or older who experience:
- Acute pain
- Altered mental status/delirium
- Anemia
- Cellulitis
- CHF
- COPD exacerbation
- Diabetic issues
- Dizziness, syncope
- Electrolyte abnormality
- Falls
- GI issues/abdominal pain
- Non-surgical fractures
- Pneumonia
- Sepsis/other infections/fever
- Urinarty tract infection (UTI)
Note: These diagnoses are not exhaustive
Senior Treatment and Recovery Unit for Behavioral Care (S.T.A.R.)
The S.T.A.R. Unit, located on the 8th floor of the hospital, has unique programming specially designed for the treatment of patients over the age of 65 with behavioral health needs.
Our staff includes a talented, multidisciplinary team of affiliated doctors;social workers; nurses; activity, occupational and physical therapists;dietitians; chaplains; and personal care aides. These dedicated caregivers are well trained to assist physicians in the treatment of these special patients. They are available 24/7 to meet the medical, spiritual and mental health needs of senior patients.
This totally remodeled wing of the hospital is designed to provide seniors a safe, protected and modern environment.
Amenities
The S.T.A.R. senior unit provides:
- Comfortable, private hospital beds and private bathroom facilities
- State-of-the-art equipment and security
- Library and lounge available for quiet times and evenings
- Scheduled groups and therapies necessary for the improvement of mental health issues
Admissions
The admission criteria for the S.T.A.R. unit are:
- 65 years or older
- A principal psychiatric diagnosis has been made, in addition to diagnostic or medication evaluations/stabilization
- Patient is cognitively capable of benefiting from treatment, and there is an expectation of improvement in symptoms or behavior
- Patient may have experienced an abrupt change in behavior
- Must be able to attend group sessions
Complementary Programs
Complementary programs at the senior unit include:
Important Phone Numbers
- Hospital Main Line: (713) 456-5000
- Senior Emergency Center: (713) 456-6603
- For a Primary Care Physician: (713) 456-5348