NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst Opens New Inpatient Behavioral Health Unit for the Elderly and Frail
Renovated unit features amenities for patients dealing with physical and mental health issues
Jan 28, 2019
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst has opened a newly renovated Behavioral Health unit designed to meet the special needs of geriatric and frail patients, the hospital announced today. Located on the hospital’s 11th floor, the new unit can serve up to 11 inpatients, providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere in a setting designed for individualized care and enhanced safety for a particularly vulnerable population.
The new unit features specialized amenities for patients coping with both physical and mental health challenges. To address the physical challenges of a geriatric or otherwise frail population, the unit has skid-free flooring to decrease the risk of falls, handrails in the bedrooms and lounge/day area, chairs that help lift patients to a standing position, and raised toilet seats. The lounge/day rooms are bright and spacious, with a calm and inviting tone, designed to reduce the anxiety that many patients with behavioral health needs experience. To increase safety at night, patient rooms have functional night lights, and bed alarm technology is in place.
A therapist is assigned to the unit to provide appropriate group activities.
“We are very happy to open this beautifully renovated space for patients dealing with both physical and mental health issues,” said Israel Rocha, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst and vice president of NYC Health + Hospitals. “We are also enormously proud of the teamwork involved between the departments of Behavioral Health and Medicine that have made this new unit into a reality. This successful collaboration will help us provide improved care for our elderly and frail patients as they undergo treatment for mental and physical health issues in a supportive environment.”
“I congratulate NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst for their new inpatient behavioral health unit for the elderly and frail,” said New York State Assembly Member Brian Barnwell. “As our population ages, we need to adapt and make sure our hospitals expand to reflect this reality. I applaud Elmhurst for this expansion that will provide safe individualized care for our seniors, and I’m thankful that Elmhurst continues to put patients first.”
“NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst continues to differentiate itself by its phenomenal attention and care to our community’s needs,” New York City Council Member Francisco Moya said. “This modernized Behavioral Health unit will provide much-needed amenities to tend to some of our most vulnerable neighbors. As our population ages, it is incumbent on us to ensure elderly and frail patients receive the superior care they deserve. I applaud Elmhurst for its leadership in that effort.”
The renovation project cost $750,000.
For more information on Behavioral Health services at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, please call 718-334-1259.