ELDER SERVICES

SERVICES | STAFF

Elder Services at Seacoast Mental Health Center is dedicated to serving older adults and their caregivers so they may lead rich fulfilling and productive lives.

We Provide

• Assessment and Evaluation
• Individual, Group and Family counseling in a safe, caring environment
• Medication Evaluations and Monitoring
• Caregiver counseling
• Link to various community agencies
• Visits to some area nursing homes and to homebound elders
• Case Management to eligible consumers

Stressful Changes the elderly may experience include loneliness, depression, loss of loved ones, retirement, reduced income, relocation, remarriage, physical changes, memory changes.

Did You Know…

• Many physical symptoms can be aggravated by emotional problems.
• Certain combinations of medications can create physical or mental distress.
• Between 20-30% of people diagnosed with dementia actually suffer from depression that is reversible if treated.
• 15-20% of the elderly suffer from significant mental health problems.
• The elderly have the highest suicide rates in the United States (over 6000 per year).

Signs of depression may include:

• Increased or decreased sleep
• Poor appetite
• Low energy
• Poor concentration
• Feelings of guilt
• Thoughts of suicide

Signs of anxiety may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness or unsteadiness
• Trembling or shaking
• Stomach distress
• Numbness
• Nausea or abdominal distress
• Feeling out of touch with yourself
• Fear of going out of control

Our Caregivers program will assist those who find themselves assisting or performing in the role of a caretaker for the elderly. The caregivers program allows the caregiver to have someone to talk to about the stress and difficulty of taking care of an elderly family member. The program will help develop communication between the caregiver, the elderly family member, and the physician. It will also provide information about the signs and symptoms of depression.

Our Staff consist of Social Workers, Psychiatrists, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Case Managers. For more information about the Elders staff, please see the staff directory.

To inquire about services or make an appointment please call our Admissions and Intake Representative at 603-431-6703, Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

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ELDER SERVICES STAFF

LUCILLE KARATZAS, L.I.C.S.W.,
Director of Elder Services, is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, with specialized training in gerontology. She has worked with older adults and their families since 1983 and joined the Seacoast Mental Health Center staff in 1988.

CAROL SHERFESEE, L.I.C.S.W.,
is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, and has experience working with individuals, families, hospice and chemical dependency issues. She joined the Seacoast Mental Health Center staff in 1996.

BARBARA GAFFNEY, L.I.C.S.W
has experience working with individuals, families, groups and issues related to loss, chronic pain, anxiety, trauma, and the Deaf community. She received a certificate in Deaf studies and interpreting in 2006. She joined the Seacoast Mental Health Staff in 1989.

SUSAN MACWILLIAMS, B.S.,
is a Case Manager. She has significant experience working with elders in Inter- generational Programs. linking individuals and families with community resources. She joined the Seacoast Mental Health Center staff in 2004.

LISA HIGGINS-SEIGAL, L.I.C.S.W.,
Is a Clinical Case Manager, with specialized training working with Individuals and Families. She joined the Seacoast Mental Health Center staff in 2000. Lucille

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