Families Challenged by Loved One’s Psychiatric Needs Find a Welcome Care Team at St. Joseph Medical

Posted on

Apr 09, 2021

When my father-in-law needed psychiatric care, all we could think of was the worst, says Kim Chalmers, supervisor of senior care at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City. Thats why I can empathize with the fears of families facing heart-wrenching decisions when their loved ones suffer from debilitating psychiatric illness. But after they take one look at what we offer, their whole outlook changes.
The Senior Behavioral Health Services (SBH) is one of the many ways St. Joseph Medical Center serves the senior population in the area. As the first hospital in Kansas City to launch a comprehensive Senior Care service line including a senior-friendly emergency room and senior-focused inpatient program, SBH ensures patients and their families receive the necessary support and services to offer stabilization and treatment for adults displaying serious behavioral changes.
We offer help and hope to patients and their families who are dealing with the gravity of these life-altering decisions, says Helen Miller, director at SBH. We want families to know what a beautiful place we have created to provide care for their loved ones in a tranquil, peaceful space with safety uttermost in mind.
Miller adds that the level of care provided at SBH is helping families receive the counseling and therapy necessary to understand how to offer their loved ones a better quality of life and to communicate more effectively with them.Along with the advanced improvements in psychiatric medications, SBH is helping to reduce the stigma surrounding psychiatric illness.
We often say if someone were diagnosed with any other illness, they would seek help for that, Miller says. As a society, we must confront the wrongful notions that prevent people from seeking care.
St. Joseph Medical Center is one of the only hospitals in the metro with a 5-star CMS rating.With exceptional providers and a dedicated and caring staff, Miller says she is proud of the comprehensive approach the team takes.
Our diverse team of specialists creates an individualized treatment plan specifically tailored to fit yours or a loved ones unique needs to provide them with optimal care, Miller says. We work tirelessly to ensure everyone leaves our program with the tools necessary to meet lifes challenges.
To learn more and see a virtual tour, please visit: http://bit.ly/SJMCSBH

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