McLaren Macomb nears opening of Shelby Senior Behavioral Health Center

The growing need to meet the mental and emotional health needs of Macomb County’s senior population has prompted McLaren Macomb’s latest expansion to include the opening of a Senior Behavioral Health Center in Shelby Township.

“There can be a disconnect between the physical health mental health,” said Theresa Chapman, program director of the McLaren Macomb Senior Behavioral Health Center. “As we age, ​we face multiple changes in many different areas of life, and the aging population is left to find a way to cope with those changes and the loss associated with them, all of this can leave them feeling depressed, anxious and overwhelmed. These changes and reactions are normal, but often extra help is needed if the depression and anxiety go on for too long and that’s why we’re here, to provide that specialized care to this unique population.”

The multidisciplinary inpatient facility will provide an advanced level of care designed to help seniors deal with the changes that might occur in their lifetime.

Construction on the new 23-bed in-patient facility on Schoenherr Road, south of 21 Mile Road, began in the fall of 2020 and represents an $8 million investment in the community. The center is designed for adults 55 and older who are in need of treatment for increased anxiety, prolonged emotional issues after a major life event, behavioral disturbances, depression with suicidal thoughts, hallucinations and delusional thoughts, among other behavioral health needs.

“The growing emphasis being placed on behavioral health and mental and emotional well-being along with the de-stigmatization of the need for this area of care, have been very promising,” said Tom Brisse, president and CEO at McLaren Macomb. “It is always exciting to be able to grow and expand our services to our community, especially one that is in a position to meet a growing need.”

The center will be overseen by a board-certified psychiatrist and will include a full complement of registered nurses providing around-the-clock care and an experienced manager to supervise all patient care services. The services of social workers and occupational and recreational therapists will also be available.

Through this facility, McLaren Macomb will add nearly 30 jobs to Shelby Township.

Macomb County is home to nearly 874,000 people, and 39% are over the age of 50. Considering this aging population, 20% of people age 55 and older require a level of behavioral health treatment, yet only 3% seek treatment.

The new facility represents the latest in a succession of expanded and new services offered by McLaren Macomb. Following the opening of the Wayne and Joan Webber Emergency and Trauma Center in the summer of 2020, the hospital opened an inpatient rehabilitation unit, debuted a new, larger Medical Outreach Clinic in the winter and broke ground on an outpatient surgery center over the summer.

For more information visit mclaren.org/macombgeropsych.