For older adults facing mental health challenges, getting the right care can seem overwhelming, especially in a rural community.
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Carroll County has a program offering specialized inpatient psychiatric treatment for adults 55 and older, with the kind of personalized, individualized attention that makes patients feel comfortable and at home from the moment they arrive.
Baptist Senior Care provides acute-stay diagnostic and treatment services around the clock. Patients don’t need a doctor’s referral or a prior hospital stay to be admitted. A family member can call on behalf of a loved one, or a patient can reach out directly.
While the most common conditions treated include dementia, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, the program is designed to treat any condition affecting the mental health of older adults.
Sarah Pitcher, marketing manager at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Carroll County, said the goal is to connect families with care locally.
“We want families to know they don’t have to face these challenges alone,” Pitcher said. “Specialized behavioral health care for older adults is available right here in Carroll County, and we’re here to provide compassionate care, support, and hope.”
Jennifer Ashby, Director of Behavioral Health Services at Baptist Senior Care, said the unit’s smaller size, capped at around 12 patients, allows the team to provide a more personalized level of care.
“It’s a lot of individualized, one-on-one attention,” she said. “Staff will do devotionals with patients, read the Bible with them, do music therapy. They come here and they don’t want to leave when it’s time to go.”
The program offers chair yoga, bowling, activities, and a warm, welcoming environment where patients are treated as individuals.
Families are often surprised to find that the patients who arrived uncertain and hesitant are the same ones asking if they can stay a little longer when it’s time to go home.
Care within the Senior Care Unit doesn’t stop at mental health. Any patient admitted to Baptist Senior Care receives a physical therapy and occupational therapy evaluation at baseline, with continued therapy services available throughout their stay so patients don’t lose ground physically while focusing on mental health. Speech therapy is available as needed as well.
“We try to do the care as a whole,” Ashby explained.
Treatment teams meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Daily visitation is available, and families are encouraged to call anytime.
When patients are discharged, social workers coordinate follow-up appointments, communicate with the patient’s primary care physician, and help arrange home health services so the transition home is as smooth as possible.
Ashby said the biggest barrier she encounters has to do with stigma.
“It should never be embarrassing to need help,” she said. “You don’t get embarrassed going to the doctor. So why be embarrassed coming here? It’s not a bad thing.”
Pitcher agreed, and added that the program’s philosophy extends beyond the patient.
“We’re helping treat their family member, but we also want families to know if they need help too, we’re here for you,” she said. “Supporting families is an important part of the care we provide.”
Medicare and most private insurance are accepted.
Providers and health care professionals seeking evaluation and admission can call 1-844-BMH-BEDS or fax 731-986-7084. Patients and families can call 731-986-7080. More information is available at baptistonline.org/carrollcounty.