Paper Example. Psychiatric Community

Psychiatric patients are those that have a mental illness that compromises their thinking, moods, and behaviors. The psychiatric drugs administered to such patients do not cure their mental illnesses; instead, they assist in making the symptoms less severe (Zun, 2016). Due to their unpredictable behaviors as a result of psychiatric disorders, patients need effective nursing care in favorable environments to improve their living conditions and ensure that they live better lives (Keltner & Steele, 2018). Group homes, partial hospitalization, and day treatment centers are examples of treatment environments where psychiatric patients receive nursing care.

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Group homes are effective centers where psychiatric patients can receive proper care. The homes range from urban apartments to those that are farm-based, and they vary in the treatment approaches used, the services offered, and the type of mental disorder. Such homes provide intensive support services for adults with conditions like schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorders (Zun, 2016). Nurses are assigned to group homes to provide individualized care, and the primary focus is on stabilization and recovery of the patients (Keltner & Steele, 2018). The nurses and the other residential staff are available for twenty-four hours. Other services that are offered include family communication, patient recovery and enrichment, crisis prevention, and medical management, among others. Group homes are designed in such a way that the residents are comfortable and can safely interact with each other. Many group homes have a Residential Living Center with dormitory-style bedrooms and baths (Zun, 2016). The kitchen is a common segregating place for all the residents, and they get a chance to interact with each other. The homes also have a beautiful living room for visitors. Moreover, residents are provided with recreational rooms for all their other activities. A conducive living environment is critical for psychiatric patients receiving care to satisfy their complex health needs.

Partial hospitalization is one of the mental illness treatment environments in the community setting, which runs for several hours every day. However, partial hospitalization programs are most effective after psychiatric patients move out of group homes (Leao & Corradi-Webster, 2018). Therefore, clients participate in their treatment plan for scheduled sessions every week, unlike in group homes where care is given for twenty-four hours every day. A partial hospitalization program contains a range of activities, which include group and individual therapies, periodic assessments, and psychoeducation, among others (Keltner & Steele, 2018). Certified mental health professionals perform all the procedures mentioned above. Medications are administered by psychiatrists who ensure medical management.

Psychiatric patients require a lot of care and a firm support system. Thus, a partial hospitalization program for mentally ill patients encourages the presence of parents or guardians to build a support system that is essential in the recovery of the victims (Zun, 2016). Therapeutic techniques are used during the treatment plan, and they include Cognitive Behavioral therapy and others like trauma-sensitive yoga.

Partial hospitalization is designed for short-term treatment for psychiatric patients, and the primary goal of the program is improvement, so that one can be transferred to a lower level of care (Leao & Corradi-Webster, 2018). However, families are advised to focus on reaching the patient's treatment goals instead of being concerned about the length of care since every person's recovery journey is different.

Day treatment centers are examples of partial hospitalization programs for psychiatric patients. Patients admitted for day treatment care are those that do not need twenty-four-hour inpatient care, and a person spends at least eight hours every day at the facility (Zun, 2016). Some of the services that are provided for mentally ill patients include individual therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, aftercare plans, and recreational activities, among others (Keltner & Steele, 2018). One of the primary benefits of enrolling a patient in day treatment centers is that care is highly individualized. Each patient is provided with a plan that suits their mental needs. The length of the program depends on the mental condition of a patient, and they can go home at night. The cost of treatment is also affordable, and patients recover well.

In some cases, there are mentally ill patients in homeless shelters who need proper nursing care. Homeless people are often cut off from social support and needs services, and they do not have the required financial capabilities to afford medical care (Keltner & Steele, 2018). Homeless people are usually economically deprived, do not receive social services, and have other clinical problems. The nursing process can meet the needs of homeless psychiatric patients by moving them to community group homes where they can easily access care (Zun, 2016). Treating patients while on the street is ineffective since close monitoring is required during the entire process.

In conclusion, psychiatric patients can receive care in treatment environments like group homes, partial hospitalization, and day treatment centers. Nurses are assigned to group homes to provide individualized care, and the primary focus is on stabilization and recovery of the patients. Partial hospitalization programs are most effective after psychiatric patients move out of group homes. Patients admitted for day treatment care are those that do not need twenty-four-hour inpatient care, and a person spends at least eight hours every day at the facility. The nursing process can meet the needs of homeless psychiatric patients by moving them to community group homes where they can easily access care.

References

Keltner, N. L., & Steele, D. (2018). Psychiatric Nursing-eBook. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Zun, L. (2016). Care of psychiatric patients: the challenge to emergency physicians. Western journal of emergency medicine, 17(2), 173.

Leao, E. A., & Corradi-Webster, C. M. (2018). Care for Psychiatric Patients that Use Drugs: Management and Perceptions of Professionals. Paideia (Ribeirao Preto), 28.