‘This program saved my life’: Senior Renewal program at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland brings hope, health to patients

Melody Price doesn’t know where she would be if not for the Senior Renewal program at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland (SJH).

“When I started this program, I was a train wreck. I had threatened suicide and was in the Emergency Department when Lori (Hahn) came to visit me. She told me about this program and told me I could get help. That was exactly what I needed. It’s what I was trying to get — help. This program saved my life,” said Price, a patient of the program for the past three years.

The Senior Renewal program, which as been at SJH since November 2009, helps brings hope and health to seniors 65 and older, who are dealing with symptoms of depression or anxiety from life changes, such as trouble adjusting to retirement or declining physical health, debilitating problems with grief and loss, strained family relationships, financial issues, and loss of independence.

Such changes can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety. Patients may feel sadness, lack of pleasure or interest in hobbies, social withdraw, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, irritability, lack of energy or motivation, loss of self-worth and feelings hopeless with suicidal thoughts. Some may feel nervous, jittery, or jumpy, with negative thoughts and unwanted fear and worry.

Senior Renewal provides group, individual and family counseling. A physician referral is not required, and patients can self-refer.

Lori Hahn, R.N., is the program’s director. Board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Scott J. Arbaugh, M.D., is the medical director.

“When I started this program, I didn’t know where else to go. I was afraid where my life was headed,” said Don Gralike, a patient of one year. “Senior Renewal has helped me a lot over the last year. They have shown me the other side of the coin and that if I have faith in myself, everything can be OK. I feel more content and happier now. I have a place I can go and get help when I’m feeling unhappy. Senior Renewal changed my life. I have a lot of hope now.”

Since opening, the program has documented more than 13,697 patient visits.

“When my doctor recommended that I go to Senior Renewal, my first thought was that I didn’t need it. I was very hesitant about coming,” said Sally Steiner, a new patient to the program. “I can tell you after just three months in the program, that joining Senior Renewal was the best thing I could have done. Our community is so fortunate to have this hospital here and this program offered to us. I am feeling so much better. I physically feel better and my nerves are better.”

All information shared in the program is confidential.

“I feel like I can say anything here, and I know it won’t be shared,” Steiner said. “I am so thankful to everyone here. I wish more people would reach out to the staff here for help. I understand being hesitant — I was very hesitant — but everything about this program has helped me.”

This story was originally published April 8, 2016 at 9:56 AM with the headline "‘This program saved my life’: Senior Renewal program at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland brings hope, health to patients."