title: Balanced life: a pilot wellness program for older adults in psychiatric hospitals.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This brief report describes a pilot wellness intervention for older people with mental illness receiving care at a state psychiatric hospital.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  People over 65 years of age with mental illness typically have comorbid health issues. Wellness interventions have the potential to improve quality of life, health, and coping skills. The Balanced Life Program was developed by a team at a geriatric psychiatric hospital to address nine areas of wellness: spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual, social, occupational, environmental, metabolic health, and sexuality. The 11-week group includes education, personal application of ideas discussed through skills teaching, and the development of a personal wellness plan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review and observation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot program shows promise for promoting physical health for older adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Scotch Plains, NJ 07016, USA. zechnemr@umdnj.edu
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zechner
authors.forename: Maria P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Kirchner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019370:Observation / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods