UPMC Senior Care – Benedum Geriatric Center

Services
Staff
Accessing and Paying for Services
Location and Hours

UPMC Senior Care – Benedum Geriatric Center is an outpatient evaluation and treatment center for older adults who have complex problems requiring medical or psychiatric care. The center focuses primarily on preserving the health, independence, and well-being of the frail elderly who have multiple medical or psychiatric problems. Through the center, patients may schedule an appointment for primary or consultative care.

During the office visit, a team of professionals may conduct a variety of assessments of the patient’s health:

• A medical assessment performed by a geriatrician examines the patient’s health, taking into consideration physical and behavioral problems, health practices, and daily functioning.
• A psychiatric evaluation is performed by a geriatric psychiatrist (directly or in conjunction with a geriatric psychiatry trainee or nurse practitioner) to find signs such as depression, agitation, or difficulty thinking or remembering. Information from patient and family, as well as other health care providers, is taken into account. Relevant education and treatment recommendations are made.
• A social and environmental assessment conducted by a social worker involves discussions with the patient and family members to understand the individual and family background and how the patient functions at home and in the community.
• A nursing assessment by a nurse covers issues related to safety, medication use, and health education, and may also involve assessment of the patient’s ability to hear, see, and move.

A pharmacologist may be asked to provide medication counseling or diabetic counseling.

For patients who receive only an evaluation at the center, a complete medical summary and treatment recommendations are sent to the physician identified by the patient and family as the one most responsible for continuing care. For patients who plan to continue receiving care at the Benedum Geriatric Center, the team continues to work to develop a care plan to meet the patient’s individual and continuing care needs.

Within the patient’s care plan, staff members provide guidance to:

• help support patients in their home for as long as possible
• assist in decision-making about the community services needed to support independent functioning
• consult with referring physicians and other community health care providers

Staff can also refer the patient to a range of other UPMC services for older adults.

Services
At the Benedum Geriatric Center, patients benefit from a comprehensive care program offering a full spectrum of services including:

• primary care
• consultative care
• psychiatric care and counseling
• treatment for balance and mobility problems
• treatment for incontinence
• foot care
• treatment for depression
• pharmacological counseling and medication management
• treatment for memory problems
• health care education and support for families
• care planning assistance
• referral to community programs

Benedum Geriatric Center patients have access to a wide range of services throughout UPMC, including referrals for specialty consultations and follow-up care, diagnostic tests and procedures, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and more. The center’s convenient location in a hospital setting allows for easy access to testing, specialized treatments, and other services.

Staff
At the Benedum Geriatric Center, geriatricians and geriatric psychiatrists work with physician assistants, nurse practitioners, social workers, registered nurses, and podiatrists to provide a full spectrum of care for patients.

Adele L. Towers, MD, Medical Director
Mary Ganguli, MD, Chief Psychiatrist

Accessing and Paying for Services
To schedule an appointment at the Benedum Geriatric Center, call 412-692-4200. When a patient or family member calls to schedule an appointment, the intake coordinator will ask questions to help determine the main health concerns of the patient and the best mix of services to meet the patient’s needs. After scheduling an appointment, the patient or family member will be asked to complete a health history form that will be sent through the mail. The patient or family member should bring the completed health history form to the first office visit.

Although most insurances are accepted, you should confirm whether a physician referral is necessary and whether your particular insurance will cover the services provided.

Location and Hours
Benedum Geriatric Center is located on the 4th floor of UPMC Montefiore.

Phone: 412-692-4200

Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A physician is on call nights, weekends, and holidays.

Parking is available at a reduced rate with validation in the Kaufmann Building Garage on Fifth Avenue. On the fifth level of the garage, there is an entrance to the fourth floor of UPMC Montifiore and the Benedum Geriatric Center. Eight parking spaces are reserved near this entrance for Senior Care patients.