The Senior Behavioral Unit at Coosa Valley Medical Center

04/21/2026

Please join us in welcoming
Grace Swearingen Schmidt to her new role as Community Education Manager for the Senior Behavioral Unit!

We are incredibly excited to have Grace step into this position, where she will serve as the face of our department out in the community. Her passion, energy, and commitment will help share the important work being done every day to support and care for those we serve.

We look forward to the impact she will make as she builds connections, raises awareness, and represents the heart of our team.

Welcome, Grace—we’re so glad to have you!

04/19/2026

Inpatient psychiatric services are more than just hospital beds—they are a lifeline for individuals and families navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives. Community support plays a critical role in ensuring these services remain strong, compassionate, and accessible.

When we support mental health resources, we’re investing in safety, healing, and hope. We’re saying that every person matters, every story deserves care, and no one should have to face mental health challenges alone.

Let’s continue to advocate, educate, and stand behind the teams who show up every day to care for our most vulnerable. Strong communities support mental health—because it impacts us all.

04/15/2026

We recently celebrated the birthday of one of our amazing providers, Mrs. Amber D’Olimpio, PMHNP-BC, who is the full-time Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner! 🎉

Amber is such a valuable part of our Senior Behavioral Unit team. Her compassion, dedication, and commitment to providing exceptional care to our patients does not go unnoticed. She brings not only clinical expertise, but also a genuine understanding that makes a difference every single day.

We are so grateful to have her as part of our team.

Wishing you a wonderful birthday, Amber, and a year filled with continued success and happiness! 🖤

04/12/2026

The Senior Behavioral Unit is a vital part of Coosa Valley Medical Center, caring for a population that requires compassion, patience, and specialized expertise.

Unfortunately, behavioral health—especially within the senior population—often carries a stigma that can lead to this work being overlooked.

Our team shows up every day to provide safe, dignified, and meaningful care to patients who are often at their most vulnerable. The work being done on this unit matters, and it deserves to be seen, supported, and valued just as much as any other department.

Recognizing and including all areas of care strengthens not only our teams, but the quality of care we provide as a whole.

It takes a special kind of person to work on a geriatric psychiatric unit. This is not just clinical care—it is heart work. It requires deep compassion, steady patience, and the ability to meet individuals where they are, often on some of their hardest days.

Our team consistently shows empathy, dignity, and respect to patients who depend on us not just for treatment, but for understanding.

03/31/2026

We want to take a moment to recognize and sincerely thank Dr. Chili for the incredible care and dedication shown to the Senior Behavioral Unit.

Your compassion, steady leadership, and commitment to our patients do not go unnoticed. You make a meaningful impact every single day—not only in the lives of those we serve, but also in the strength of our team.

We are truly grateful to have you with us.

03/25/2026

A big THANK YOU to Starbucks for the thoughtful coffee donation to our Senior Behavioral Unit this morning!!! ☕️

Your kindness truly brightened our team’s day and gave us a much-needed boost as we care for our patients. ⚡️

We are so grateful for the support and generosity shown to our staff—it does not go unnoticed! 🤗

03/20/2026

Happy Social Worker Month 💐 💐 💐

Today we are celebrating two incredible women who make a difference every single day on the Senior Behavioral Unit at Coosa Valley—Kaylan Jacobs and Misty Swain.

Their compassion, patience, and dedication does not go unnoticed. They walk alongside our patients and their families during some of their most vulnerable moments, offering support, advocacy, and kindness in ways that truly matter.

These flowers are just a small token of appreciation for the big impact you make.

Thank you for the heart you pour into your work and for being such an important part of our team.

We are so grateful for you both!

🌼 🌼 🌼 🌼 🌼 🌼 🌼 🌼 🌼 🌼 🌼 🌼

03/18/2026

A little St. Patrick’s Day fun on the Senior Behavioral Unit today! 🍀

Our patients enjoyed getting hands-on making these festive jello cups—complete with rainbows and “clouds.”

Activities like this do more than pass the time… they encourage creativity, support cognitive engagement, and bring moments of joy and connection.

It’s the little things that make a big difference in the healing process.

Today, we’re feeling lucky to share in these smiles! 💚

03/17/2026

Helpful Ways to Support Someone Struggling with Mental Illness:

Many people want to help when a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, but aren’t sure what to do. A few simple approaches can make a big difference.

• Stay calm. Your tone and body language matter. Speaking calmly can help reduce anxiety and prevent escalation.

• Avoid arguing about what they are feeling or experiencing. Even if something doesn’t make sense to you, it feels very real to them. Arguing often increases frustration.

• Listen more than you speak. Sometimes people simply need to feel heard. Acknowledging their feelings can help build trust.

• Don’t dismiss their emotions. Phrases like “just calm down” or “it’s not that bad” can make someone feel misunderstood.

• Give space if needed. Overstimulation or too many people talking at once can increase distress.

• Encourage professional help. Mental health professionals are trained to provide the right support and treatment.

• Be patient. Healing and stabilization take time.

Mental illness is not a character flaw or weakness. Compassion, patience, and understanding can make a powerful difference in someone’s life.

03/08/2026

Every now and then, we are reminded exactly why this work matters.

Caring for seniors facing behavioral health challenges is not always easy, but moments like this remind us that compassion, patience, and teamwork truly make a difference. Our goal each day on the Senior Behavioral Unit is not just treatment—but restoring dignity, independence, and joy for the patients entrusted to our care.

We are honored to share this message from a family member whose mother recently received care on our unit.

03/04/2026

02/28/2026

Coosa Valley Medical Center had the pleasure of welcoming the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Sylacauga cohort to CVMC for a day of learning, connection, and forward-focused conversation.

From meaningful discussions with local leaders to an inside look at leadership in action across our campus, the day was filled with insight, collaboration, and growth.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to support emerging leaders in our community and look forward to seeing the impact they’ll make.

Let’s keep building a stronger community, together.