Senior Life Solutions

Anxiety, depression and other mental health issues don’t have to be a part of aging. These issues can be addressed and managed with the proper treatment and should be as much of a priority as an older adult’s physical health concerns. Appling Healthcare’s Senior Life Solutions program in Baxley helps seniors cope with day-to-day living and the emotional issues that can occur at their age: grieving the loss of a loved one, feeling alone, losing their independence, new health concerns, a change in their living situation, and financial concerns.

At Senior Life Solutions, we understand and are here to help. Our primary focus is equipping our clients with the tools and resources that can lead to an improved lifestyle and better overall health. 

All information and treatment is confidential.

Consider if one or more of the following apply:

  • Depressed moods
  • Unresolved grief
  • Anxiety/nervousness
  • Feelings of isolation or loneliness
  • Difficulty coping with health or physical challenges
  • Sleep or appetite changes
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
  • Anger
  • Withdrawal
  • Low self-esteem
  • Personality changes
Our Treatment Team

Sometimes, a helping hand from experienced professionals is all our clients need to get their lives back on track. The proper guidance and regular attention of our team can lead to an improved lifestyle as well as better overall health. Our professionals genuinely care about their clients and work to understand their specific needs in designing a holistic treatment plan.

Our team approach is multi-disciplinary to ensure the best quality patient care possible for those who trust us with their behavioral health needs. The team includes a psychiatrist, a mental health therapist (LMSW), and a registered nurse. Senior Life Solutions staff work collaboratively with the client’s healthcare providers and family members to ensure the best possible long-term outcomes.

Sherry Grady, RN
Maria Sumner, LMSW
About Our Program

The Senior Life Solutions program consists of 90 days of structured, comprehensive treatment, with additional services thereafter subject to the client’s progress and individual needs. About the program:

  • Clients begin by attending 2 to 4 days each week, then progress to fewer days as graduation nears.
  • Sessions are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, with two 15-minute breaks and a 30-minute lunch break (lunch is provided).
  • The first half hour of each program day consists of individual nursing assessments by Sherry Grady, RN, as well as individual mental health therapy sessions with Maria Sumner, LMSW.
  • Each group may consist of up to 12 participants in a group setting. These  group discussions foster true healing and, according to our staff, this is when the “magic” happens. 

In this compassionate and supportive setting, participants are among their peers who are dealing with similar issues. They begin to talk more, share experiences and even make new friends.

During the group, the mental health therapist (Maria Sumner, LMSW) covers a wide range of topics to include grief, low self-esteem, coping skills, anger management, codependency, relaxation, gratitude, and happiness. In the final portion of each group session, our Registered Nurse (Sherry Grady, RN) discusses a variety of healthcare topics including blood pressure, diabetes, and common illnesses, as well as topics requested by our clients. 

Get started

Referrals are not required. Our clients can refer themselves or a family member can make the referral. The program is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and some private insurers.

Call (912)367-3942 for more information on registering for the program. The program sessions are held at the main Appling hospital facility, 163 E. Tollison St. in Baxley.

Tekisha Jones

Tekisha Jones, a proud native of Appling County, is a devoted wife to Jakharis Jones and the loving mother of three children: Takhara, Aleah, and Khamil. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner from Walden University, where she developed a strong commitment to advancing healthcare in her community.
 
Currently, Tekisha serves with East Georgia Healthcare, where she provides compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals and families.

Madeline Rentz-Tucker

Madeline Rentz-Tucker, a native of Baxley, holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Georgia and a Juris Doctor from Mercer University. She has practiced law in various settings and now works with a long-standing local law firm. Madeline and her husband, Matthew Tucker, a native of Ocilla, enjoy life in Baxley with their two dogs.

Cam Mayers

Cam Mayers is a native of Appling County and a graduate of Georgia Southern University’s Parker College of Business. He has worked for various industries here in Southeast Georgia and is currently a lender with Pineland Bank. He is actively involved in the community, serving on the Appling County Festival Committee, and is a recent graduate of the Appling Leads Leadership Program. Cam and his wife, Hannah Carter Mayer,s have two young daughters, Lillian and Bess.

Sloan Lott

Sloan Lott is a lifelong resident of Baxley. He has been employed by Bland Farms for 28 years and is currently their Director of Sales. He is married to Kendra Lott, and they have two daughters, Isabella and Amelia. He is a graduate of Georgia Southern University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology. Sloan currently serves on numerous industry and charitable boards. He is a member of the executive board of directors forthe  Southeast Produce Council and a member of the board for Society of St. Andrews.

Lee Lewis

Lee Lewis is the City Market Executive and Senior Vice-President for Pineland Bank in Baxley. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia from the Terry College of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. Lee is actively involved in his community, serving as Chairman of the Coastal Pines Technical College Board, Secretary of the Appling County Hospital Authority, Executive Board Member for the Coastal Georgia Council BSA, and Treasurer of the Appling County Tourism Board. In 2023, he was elected to the Board of Trustees for the Georgia Hospital Association. Lee is married to Melody Lewis, and they have one son, Hudson.

Jaymal R. Patel, MD

Geriatric Psychiatry / Hospitalist

163 E. Tollison Street
Baxley, GA 31513
(912) 367-9841

Primary Focus

Senior Care Unit (Behavioral Health)

Education & Training

Board Certified: General Psychiatry, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Board Certified: Geriatric Psychiatry, American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry,
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
Medical School: Baroda Medical College and affiliated hospitals, Baroda, India
Internship: Baroda Medical College and affiliated hospitals, Baroda, India
Residency in Psychiatry: Medical College of Georgia and University of Pennsylvania
Fellowship: University of Pennsylvania,Geriatric Psychiatry Program

Melanie Young, APRN, FNP-C

Pediatrics

105 E. Tollison Street Suite D
Baxley, GA 31513
(912) 366-9688

Education & Training

Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner: Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA

Affiliations/Certifications

-Family Nurse Practitioner
-Registered Nurse, Georgia
-Basic Cardiac Life Support
-Advanced Cardiac Life Support
-Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Life Support
-ONS Chemotherapy/Biotherapy Provider Course
-American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
-Sigma Theta Tau International

Orlando V. Fernando, MD

Internal Medicine

105 E. Tollison Street Suite B
Baxley, GA 31513
(912) 367-0102

Education & Training

Medical School: University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Residency: Memorial University/Mercer University Hospital, Savannah, GA
Internship: Memorial University/Mercer University Hospital, Savannah, GA

Affiliations

-Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine
-Certified, Medical Review Officer, Southern Nuclear Company
-Member, American College of Physicians
-Recognition with Commendation, American Medical Association

Matt Hodges, FNP-BC

Family Medicine

105 E. Tollison Street Suite B
Baxley, GA 31513
(912) 367-0102

Matt is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who treats patients two years and older. He is a certified BioTE® medical provider for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, including BioTE® hormone pellet therapy.

Key Services
-Chronic Disease Management
-Health Maintenance Screenings
-Acute Care
-Physical Exams
-Disease Prevention
-BioTE® Hormone Replacement Therapy
Botox® injections
-BMI-based weight management program ($45, bi-monthly)

 

Education & Training

Master of Science in Nursing: South University, Savannah, GA (Family Nurse Practitioner)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA

Certifications/Memberships

-Family Nurse Practitioner
-Registered Nurse, Georgia
-Advanced Cardiac Life Support
-Basic Life Support (BLS)
-Chemotherapy & Biotherapy Provider
-Oncology Nursing Society
-Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing

Josefina Abendan-Dubberly, MD

Pediatrics

105 E. Tollison Street Suite D
Baxley, GA 31513
(912) 366-9688

Key Services

-Primary Care
-Well Checks
-Acute Care
-Physical Exams
-Disease Preventions
-Patient Education

Education & Training

Medical School: University of Santo Tomas, Philippines
Residency: Brookdale University Hospital, Brooklyn, New York

Affiliation

-American Board of Pediatrics