The Older Adult Transitions Services (OATS) program at El Camino Hospital is an intensive outpatient program specifically designed for older adults who can benefit from psychiatric treatment in a multidisciplinary setting. The OATS program is available four days a week on our Los Gatos campus and five days per week on our Mountain View campus, up to five hours per day, and includes both group and individual therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is used as the primary theoretical framework of treatment. This program is not suitable for patients who are not ambulatory or who have been diagnosed with dementia.

Our Staff

Our staff consists of psychiatrist-medical directors, registered nurses, licensed therapists, and occupational therapists. The team is experienced and empathetic, and gets to know each patient individually so as to provide treatment that is both personalized and relevant.

About Our Program

The OATS program addresses the special needs of older adults who suffer acute psychiatric illnesses, including depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, or panic disorders. These patients have generally not responded to traditional interventions such as office-based medication therapy, counseling, and/or support groups. Patients frequently have other medical conditions, and treatment is carefully coordinated with each patient’s medical doctor.

The OATS program provides the intensive treatment and consistent support individuals need to recover from psychiatric symptoms and develop the coping skills to get on with their lives. Because caring for these patients can be emotionally challenging for their loved ones, family counseling is also part of the program.

All patients are assigned to a professional staff member for treatment planning, individual counseling, discharge planning, and family intervention and education. The psychiatrist-medical director sees each patient regularly for evaluation and medication monitoring.

A typical stay in the OATS program is 12 weeks. Over time, the patient’s schedule usually decreases in both frequency and intensity. Transportation may be available for some patients, depending on location. Lunch is available during the first four weeks of treatment, until the patient feels well enough to make other arrangements.

General Information

The OATS program and physician fees are benefits covered by Medicare, most senior HMOs, and other insurances. An assessment interview is required prior to admission.

Sample day

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Arrive at program via RoadRunners, Outreach or their own transportation
10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Group therapy
11:30 – 12:30 p.m.  Lunch break
12:30 – 1:15 p.m. Cognitive therapy
1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Relapse prevention

Contacting Behavioral Health Services

If you would like more program information,  please call 650-940-7138 for the Mountain View campus, 408-866-4028 for the Los Gatos campus or 1-866-789-6089 (toll-free).