Director: Susan Lehmann, M.D.

The Day Program provides intensive outpatient treatment for patients age 60 and older who are troubled by psychiatric disorders that significantly interfere with their functioning and well-being but do not require the 24-hour care of an inpatient psychiatric unit. More intensive treatment of psychiatric symptoms is available on our Geriatric Psychiatry Inpatient Unit or our Neuropsychiatry and Memory Inpatient Unit at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.

We provide continuity of care for patients recently discharged from inpatient psychiatric services who need active treatment and monitoring to enable safe and effective recovery from an episode of illness. We are especially successful in stabilizing older patients who have frequent hospitalizations or are at risk for relapse of their illness. However, regardless of previous history, many patients benefit from our program as a transition to outpatient care. In addition, the Day Hospital Program is appropriate for older patients currently in outpatient treatment who are starting to relapse and who need closer supervision and more active treatment than outpatient care can safely provide. For such persons the Day Hospital may be an alternative to inpatient admission.

The Geriatric Psychiatry Day Hospital Program (Partial Hospitalization) is located on the sixth floor of the Meyer Building at the The Johns Hopkins Hospital. The hours of the program are Monday through Friday, 8:30am-3:00pm.

Directions to Johns Hopkins Hospital

Our Patients

Are persons age 60 or older who are suffering from a psychiatric disorder such as: 

• Major Depression
• Bipolar Disorder
• Anxiety Disorders
• Paranoid Disorders
• Schizophrenia
• Early dementia with mood and/or other psychiatric complications
• Other neurologic diseases (such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, seizure disorders) complicated by psychiatric symptoms

and cannot be safely or adequately treated in a usual outpatient setting are eligible for treatment in this program. 

Treatment Program

The focus of treatment in the Day Hospital is to provide intensive psychiatric treatment that enables the older patient to achieve relief from disabling psychiatric symptoms while remaining independent in the community. The program is directed by a geriatric psychiatrist and is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of professionals that include psychiatric nurses, a social worker, and an occupational therapist. Staff members on the team have advanced training in working with and meeting the needs of older patients.

An individualized treatment plan is developed for each patient which addresses the psychiatric and social needs of the person. The comprehensive treatment program includes:

• Complete psychiatric evaluation
• Daily psychiatric assessment by the attending psychiatrist
• Individual and group psychotherapy
• Psychiatric pharmacotherapy
• Illness education
• Medication management
• Coping skills
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Family counseling
• Community resource need assessment
• Neuropsychological testing 

In addition, the staff works closely with other physicians involved in each patient’s care. Referrals to and/or consultation with other specialists are arranged as appropriate.

Referrals and Admissions

Referrals are accepted from inpatient psychiatric units, outpatient psychiatric clinics, as well as from psychiatrists and mental health therapists in the community. For further information, or to make a referral, please contact the Partial Hospitalization Admissions Coordinator at:

Phone: 410-955-8069
Fax: 410- 955-6155
See Psychiatry Admissions

Fees and Payment

Daily fees are covered by Medicare, Medical Assistance, and most supplementary insurance plans.  Special arrangements for payment are arranged on an individual basis, as needed.