Lindner Center of HOPE offers a symptom specific inpatient treatment track for patients with eating disorders. Patients on this track receive 24-hour specialized medical, psychiatric and nutritional care. Treatment is available for male and female adults and adolescents 13 years and older.
Inpatient care for eating disorder patients is generally necessary only for patients who are experiencing dangerous medical consequences from their eating disorder or when they have failed to make progress in an outpatient setting.
After a complete medical, psychiatric, nutritional and psychosocial assessment, a multidisciplinary treatment team works with each patient to develop an individualized treatment plan. Our goal is to provide a comfortable and supportive environment while assisting patients in breaking the cycle of disordered eating and/or exercising.
When a malnourished patient enters treatment, he or she is affected by the mental and physical effects of brain starvation. Early in treatment, high levels of supervision and support are provided to assure safety. Medical and nutritional goals are given initial priority. These include stabilization of heart rate, blood pressure, electrolytes, body weight, and body temperature. These goals are achieved by improving nutritional status. Nasogastric feeding is available when appropriate as a means of support during the weight restoration phase of treatment. Over the course of treatment, each patient assumes greater control of their illness.
During hospitalization, patients learn the skills needed to establish a healthier pattern of eating and how to better control mood, anxiety, and impulse control problems. Patients learn alternatives to self destructive behaviors and develop a relapse prevention plan.
Other services available for eating disorder patients hospitalized at the Lindner Center of HOPE include:
- Psychiatric comorbidity assessment and treatment
- Individual, family, group and recreational therapies
- Individual and group counseling by our spiritual care coordinator
- Individual nutritional counseling with a dietitian
- Specialized meal support
- Vocational or academic assessments and support
The average length of stay for an individual on our inpatient unit for eating disorder treatment is three to four weeks. However, the option of private pay, long-term, live-in care is available after inpatient stabilization to those adult patients (18 and older) who desire a slow transition to outpatient care.