Individuals with severe mental illnesses often need a mental health care plan. These plans focus on the immediate, intermittent or future needs of the mental health care client. The planning team often consists of family members, psychiatric nurses, psychiatrists and social workers. The plan may change as the client's needs evolve over time.
Candidates
Candidates for a mental health care plan may include people with moderate to severe mental retardation, traumatic brain injuries, stroke, Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses. Clients with disabling generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder or other neuroses may need a care plan that addresses their chronic or intermittent needs.
Components
In addition to treatment such as psychotherapy and medication, mental health care plans may address issues such as the future care of the client should his current living arrangement change or a crisis plan for a client who experiences manic, psychotic or suicidal episodes. Care plans usually include treatment goals that encourage as much independence as possible and ensure a safe environment for the client.
Residential Planning
Some mentally challenged clients live in long-term residential facilities. These facilities provide a variety of services including psychiatric and medical treatment, recreational opportunities, basic necessities and social opportunities. Some provide occupational opportunities as well. Mental health care plans dictate the care provided in these facilities.
At-Home Planning
Many individuals with chronic, severe mental illnesses or mental challenges live at home with family members. They are often supported by a combination of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and psychiatric home health nurses and aides. The psychiatric nurse monitors medication use, provides nursing care and assesses the client's mental health, explains the text, "Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing." A psychiatric case manager typically creates a mental health care plan for the individual and coordinates the services provided by the various professionals.
Planning for the Future
Families of an individual who is unable to make decisions for herself may make a comprehensive plan that addressed her care needs after they die. This plan may discuss the type of psychiatric care and living arrangements desired, as well as financial provisions to carry out the plan.
The Center for Reintegration explains that families can set up a financial trust that names a trustee who will control the financial payments but not the mentally-ill individual. A psychiatric care manager is an appropriate person to manage the person's future care needs. An attorney and a psychiatric care manager should be consulted for more information on planning for a mentally ill person's future.
References
- "Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Concepts of Care in Evidence-Based Practice"; Mary C. Townsend, M.N., A.P.R.N.; 2006
- The Center for Reintegration: Reintegration and Recovery
