Senior Life Solutions Part of Critcal Access Hospital CEO’S Plan for Financial Sustainability

Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) operate under persistent financial strain driven by low patient volumes, high fixed operating costs, and a payer mix that is heavily weighted toward Medicare, Medicaid, and uninsured patients. While cost-based reimbursement helps offset some expenses, it often fails to fully account for workforce shortages, rising labor and supply costs, aging infrastructure, and the growing demand for behavioral health and emergency services. Many CAHs also serve geographically isolated communities, limiting their ability to diversify service lines or achieve economies of scale. As a result, even modest fluctuations in census, reimbursement delays, or regulatory changes can quickly threaten financial stability, leaving these hospitals with little margin to absorb risk while still meeting their mission to provide essential care close to home.

Raymond Hino, CEO of Southern Coos Hospital & Health Center in Bandon, Ore., explained how Senior Life Solutions, a behavioral health program for older adults, is part of a plan to strengthen the financial sustainability of critical access hospitals in an interview with Becker's Hospital Review.

"Our goal is to be a sustainable and profitable facility, which is a challenge for us," Hino told Becker's Hospital Review. "But we believe with the new programs we’re creating and being very careful about where we can be more efficient in the coming years. We’ve got some opportunities up the road as well for that.”

Through a partnership with Psychiatric Medical Care, Hino's hospital plans to offer Senior Life Solutions to older adults experiencing depression, loneliness, and caregiver stress. Senior Life Solutions is a CMS-approved outpatient program specifically designed to help older adults (typically 65 and older) in rural communities. The program includes psychiatric treatment, intensive therapy sessions, and wellness checks. Participants gain coping and communication skills along with the confidence they need to live a healthier, happier life. Most participants who complete Senior Life Solutions experience a 56% improvement on the geriatric depression scale and a 36% overall improvement in mental health.

How Senior Life Solutions Works

Psychiatric Medical Care manages the Senior Life Solutions program for critical access hospitals. Program staff includes a board-certified psychiatrist, therapist, nurse, and an office and patient coordinator who are trained in geriatric mental health. Participants come to the program up to three times a week for group therapy, but also receive individual therapy, family counseling and medication management.

“One of the things we’ve noticed is that there’s a lot of seniors in our community that are caring for loved ones and spouses, and that can be very emotionally draining,” Hino told Becker's Hospital Review. “This is a new service we think is going to be very important to provide support for caregivers and the seniors in our community.”

For most critical access hospitals, Senior Life Solutions can provide rural communities with needed behavioral health support, while also bringing in revenue. Learn more about how Senior Life Solutions can help critical access hospitals by filling out this form - Let's Get Started.