In The News

HOPKINSVILLE, KY (12/13/2018) – Jennie Stuart Health has opened a new service line to better serve the senior community. A new 12-bed geriatric behavioral health inpatient unit is opening on the campus located at 320 West 18th Street in Hopkinsville. The unit will begin caring for patients on 12/11/2018.

Geriatric behavioral health is a medical specialty that is devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders in senior adults. Patients are generally around 65 years old and living with depression, anxiety, behavioral disorders or thinking disturbances. Patients are cared for by a multi-disciplinary team of nurses, psychiatrists, therapists, social workers and other team members. To better serve patients, the unit offers inpatient services and customized care in a secure, limited access unit of the hospital.

"With an aging population, geriatric behavioral health is a service that is vital to our community," said chief executive officer, Eric Lee. "We are very proud to provide a higher level of care through this service offering. The needs of the senior adult are unique, not only physically but also emotionally," Lee continued. "The combination of loss, lifestyle adjustments, physical challenges and medical issues are not typically seen at any other phase of life. We are confident this service will provide our senior neighbors with the emotional care they may need."

The behavioral health unit will also provide support to families of patients. "We want to be a support to our community," said Beth McCraw, VP of Nursing and Clinical Services. "One of the ways we can do that is for our professionals to help counsel and train family members on how to acclimate their loved one back into their home or regular lives after a stay at our hospital. Our team regularly makes a point to engage family and friends in the care of their loved one, and this unit is no different."