Geriatric Evaluation and Management Program

The Geriatric Evaluation and Management Unit (GEM) is a 15-bed Inpatient Unit located on the 4th Floor of the UNC Neurosciences Hospital. The unit is part of the UNC-CH Department of Psychiatry's Adult Inpatient Services. The GEM unit specializes in the treatment of mental disorders occurring in individuals over the age of 55. Since disorders in this age group are often accompanied by concurrent medical disorders (such as heart disease or diabetes), the GEM unit maintains a close consultation relationship with our Internal Medicine Service. This unit also specializes in the management of adult patients receiving ECT (Electro Convulsive Therapy) regardless of age.

For more information or to make a referral:

Please contact our admissions office at 919-966-8721 during weekdays from 8:30AM to 5PM.  After hours, on weekends and holidays, admissions, when appropriate, can be arranged by contacting the Psychiatrist-On-Call at 919-966-4131. Referrals may be made by the family, another health care provider, or by patients themselves.

For admission to our GEM Unit, patients must meet the admissions criteria outlined in our Admissions Policy.  In addition, patients should be at least 55 years of age and unit conditions must be conducive to the provision of safe, prompt and comprehensive care for the individual in question.