Parkview Hospital Randallia opens new facility to help older psychiatric patients

FORT WAYNE, Ind (WANE) - Parkview Hospital Randallia is opening a new facility to help older psychiatric patients.

Parkview BridgeWays will open on January 1st.  It's the new home of Parkview Behavioral Health's in-patient geriatric/psychiatric  unit.  Parkview officials say BridgeWays is suited for older psychiatric patients who also suffer from other medical problems, because Parkview Hospital Randallia still offers a full emergency department.  The new facility will also offer group, art, and music therapies.

Charles Clark, Senior Vice-President of Behavioral Health Services for Parkview, says, "Behavioral health doesn't really make a lot of money, so we've been very fortunate at Parkview because they've been in behavioral health for the long run."  Clark goes on to say, "The margins are very small, but it's a needed service in the community.  14-20% of senior adults will suffer some time of mental illness."

Parkview BridgeWays will offer 20 private rooms with televisions.  Family members of patients will be able to stay at the old Ronald McDonald House.

Parkview will continue to use its Beacon Street Behavioral Health location for younger patients.