Hospital resumes admission of seniors in mental health unit

AURORA — Amita Health Mercy Medical Center said it has reopened its Behavioral Health inpatient program to senior citizens.

At the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020, the hospital's Behavioral Health program in Aurora temporarily restricted admissions of medically compromised geriatric patients to its inpatient unit. That decision was made to reduce exposure for the center's older adult population at that time, because the virus was known to cause more serious harm to seniors as compared to other age groups, Amita said.

“We are pleased to announce that after much evaluation and introspection, we have reopened our inpatient program to older adult admissions. Under the direction of Dr. Richard Gallagher, psychiatric medical director for older adults, we look forward to expanding this much needed service in our community,” the hospital said in a news release.