Behavioral Health: Just For Seniors

National Mental Health Week Is October 5 – 11

If an older loved one faces mental health concerns, finding appropriate care is essential. Baylor Behavioral Health Senior Care unit at Baylor Medical Center at Irving is designed to treat senior adults with a primary diagnosis of psychiatric illness.

The 11-bed inpatient acute psychiatric unit is designed for people age 65 and older. Radha Kambhampati, MD, medical director of the unit and a psychiatrist on the medical staff at Baylor Irving, says that the unit treats seniors with a primary diagnosis of a psychiatric illness, as long as they are able to participate in counseling and group therapy and they are medically stable.

The unit typically helps people with acute changes in mental status, depression, bipolar disorder, recent onset of memory loss, failure to thrive because of mental illness, psychosis, panic disorder or significant functional deterioration.

Cause for Concern
These are important signs to observe according to Dr. Kambhampati:

  • Insomnia
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Crying spells
  • Hallucinations
  • Functional impairment
  • Withdrawal from friends
  • Suspicion of surroundings
  • Paranoia
  • Blaming family or friends for their predicament without basis
  • Agitation

Be sure to seek help for any of these concerns, particularly if they come on suddenly. "A lot of times people would be driving, walking and talking three weeks ago and suddenly everything changed. The majority of time they can get back to their normal selves," Dr. Kambhampati says.


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About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com