Are your loved ones receiving the care they need?
According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, depression affects more than 6.5 million of the 35 million Americans aged 65 or older.
Most people in this stage of life with depression have been experiencing episodes of the illness during much of their lives.
Others may experience a first onset in late life - even in their 80s and 90s.
Depression in older persons is closely associated with dependency and disability and causes great distress for the individual and the family.
“Medicare beneficiaries with severe mental illness have complex health needs and often don’t adhere to their treatment plans, resulting in exacerbations that require high cost services,” said Kari Perez, RN, Branch Manager for Angels Care Home Health in Bay City.
Did you know that patients with clinical depression and other psychiatric diagnoses may have no physical limitations to qualify for home health skilled services?
Some of the common diagnoses served by Home Health, include:
• Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
• Anxiety disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Panic disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Social anxiety phobia
“Psychiatric diagnoses most likely qualify for home health care services, which integrate behavioral health with skilled nursing to positively impact quality of care,” added Hartman.
“A reduction in costs and better patient outcomes are achieved.”
Through its Behavioral Health at Home program, Angels Care can address the following:
• Medication Education and Compliance Monitoring
• Administration of Long-Acting Injectable psychotropics
• Monitoring of Therapeutic Drug Levels
• Counseling
• Patient education on coping skills, problem solving, and social skills.
• Transitional Care for patients new to Assisted Living
• Caregiver Education and Support
• All visits done by a Behavioral Health nurse (RN)
• Standardized testing to include Montreal Cognitive Assessment, PHQ-9 Depression screening Hamilton, Anxiety Test, AIMS scale
If you have a friend, family member or loved one that is experiencing depression as a result of a chronic illness or other condition, contact Angels Care in Bay City today at 979-244-0600 or angelscarehealth.com to learn more about the Behavioral Health at Home program and how we can help you. At Angels Care...We Serve Patients!
