Columbus Community Hospital Celebrates Milestone In Senior Care
Columbus Community Hospital is celebrating one year of serving older patients’ specialized needs in its senior behavioral health unit. This dedicated unit on the hospital’s second floor provides inpatient comprehensive, coordinated and individualized care and support for patients 65 and older and their families.
“Columbus has a significant elderly population, which creates a challenge for any health care facility,” said Dr. Mark Howerter. “Health-related issues — including mental health — start increasing with age. We have helped patients with everything from elderly depression to dementia-related behavioral changes.”
For the past year, the unit has specialized in meeting the needs of older adults, whose mental health issues are uniquely complicated when compared to other populations. The hospital understands how chronic health conditions, medications, life-changing circumstances, losses and the physical consequences of aging all add stress.
“I’m so excited that our vision is coming together, and we finally have a great team together,” said Dr. Kavir Saxena, medical director of the senior behavioral health unit. “We are fully operational to serve the community.”
More and more families have reached out to CCH for help, according to Dorothy Bybee, vice president of patient care services.
“Families are often relieved that they have found help for their loved one,” Bybee said. “The unit also supports families as they find a suitable long-term environment that will provide a safe place for their loved one.”
The senior behavioral health unit serves Columbus and the surrounding region through a broad network of health care providers.
“My hope is that the unit continues to grow and meet the needs of the community,” Bybee said. “We developed the unit based on an unmet need and will continue to strive to meet those needs.”
“The state really lacks this type of facility, so it’s important we serve as a resource for a large region around Columbus,” said Dr. Howerter. “As we go forward, I hope the unit becomes known for being a center of excellence for caring for those needs.
For more information regarding the senior behavioral health unit, visit our website at