WEST HARTFORD – Hebrew Senior Care in West Hartford has been approved by the Office of Health Care Strategy to change the West Hartford hospital’s license from a Chronic Disease facility to a Hospital for Mentally Ill Persons, it was announced recently by Hebrew Senior Care CEO and President Denise Peterson.

With the approval of the hospital’s license change, Hebrew Senior Care can now expand the facility’s behavioral health beds from 22 beds to 38 beds.  

“Our behavioral health unit is known throughout the state for providing excellence in geriatric behavioral healthcare,” said Peterson and Hebrew Health Care vice president of marketing Madelene Francese in a statement. “There is a significant need for behavioral health services in the state. Our 22-bed unit is fully at capacity 98 percent of the time. We are proud to be considered the leading authority for senior behavioral health care and look forward to expanding access to care for this vulnerable population.

“Over the past 12 months, our leadership team has focused on expanding and transforming our nonprofit Jewish agency in order to meet the unique needs of today’s senior population. We are very excited about our future and grateful to so many individuals from the community who have stood by us during this challenging organizational transformation.”