Mental Health Care, Geriatric Unit

The Geriatric Unit of Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute (SWVMHI) provides care for elderly patients (age 65 years and older) with mental health issues who are unable to live in a less structured environment. It includes 20 Medicare Intensive Psychiatric Treatment beds and 20 Medicaid Intermediate Care beds. The administration of this unit also includes a seven-bed infirmary. This unit is utilized for the care of patients with medical problems which cannot be treated on other units at SWVMHI, yet do not require the level of care of a general hospital.



The Geriatric/Infirmary Unit serves adult and geriatric clients from the following six Community Services Boards: Planning District 1, Dickenson County, Cumberland Mountain, Highlands, Mount Rogers, and New River Valley (adults only).



Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute is a 156-bed state-run psychiatric facility serving 24 counties and 8 cities in Southwestern Virginia, operated by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. As a state-operated psychiatric hospital, this agency does not have any State license requirements.