Community Mental Health Nursing (RCMN)
HOME VISIT TO A CLIENT WITH DEPRESSION
This is a decisive visit by the RCPN to the home of a client diagnosed with depression. The nurse renders care with respect to the client's/family identified health needs.
Purpose
- Meet the specific health needs of the client and family in their home environment
- Monitor client's adherence to treatment and progress of recovery
- Monitor the progress of care rendered to client by caregivers
- Maintain continuity of care
- Assess and identify stressors in the environment
- Maximise client, family and societal level of independence of health or wellbeing
- Build confidence of the client and family
Indications
- Home visits to a client diagnosed with depression.
- Monitoring adherence to treatment and progress of recovery.
- Assessing for suicidal ideas or gestures and family support systems.
Equipment
- A Well-Equipped home visit bag
- Community Map and or GhanaPost Global Positions System (GPS)
- Manual/electronic area register/ records of the client
- Means of Transportation
Preparation
- Read the community map or GPS and identify the home of the client.
- Carry a well-equipped home visit bag and arrange transportation.
Procedure steps
- Read map of the community and identify the home of the client
- Announce your presence, enter on response, greet and introduce yourself to client, family and significant others
- Establish rapport (refer to procedure) and enquire about the general health of client
- Explain the purpose of the visit
- Ensure privacy and confidentiality by asking client to identify a suitable place for the interaction
- Involve caregiver in the interaction with the consent of client
- Approach client in a calm and respectful manner to gain trust
- Enquire about occupation and or schooling
- Educate client and family on disease condition and signs of relapse
- Educate on personal hygiene and importance of grooming
- Assist client to carry out personal hygiene needs and self-grooming if necessary
- Encourage client's family to assist in the performance of his hygiene needs
- Assess and educate client and family on his nutritional needs
- Assess client for indications of suicidal ideas or gestures
- Enquire from client and family about any suicidal attempts
- Assess client's mood, behaviour and interests in activities
- Enquire if client participates in family and social activities
- Enquire about family support system available to client
- Educate and or direct client and family of the social support systems available in the community
- Encourage family members to always assist client in carrying out activities of daily living
- Refer problems beyond scope to the nearest mental health unit or health facility
- Inform client and family about your next visit
- Leave your contact with client and or caregiver and encourage them to call in case of emergency
- Document the care and findings in the report book
- Express appreciation and depart
Precautions
- Assess for indications of suicidal ideas or gestures and enquire about any suicidal attempts.
- Approach the client in a calm and respectful manner to gain trust.
- Involve the caregiver in the interaction only with the consent of the client.
- Refer problems beyond scope to the nearest mental health unit or health facility.
Aftercare
- Inform the client and family about the next visit.
- Leave contact details with the client or caregiver for emergencies.
Nursing considerations
- Encourage family members to assist the client with activities of daily living.
- Assess mood, behaviour and interest in activities, and monitor social participation.
Patient education
- Educate the client and family on the condition and signs of relapse.
- Educate on personal hygiene, grooming and nutritional needs.
- Direct the client and family to social support systems available in the community.
Documentation
- Document the care and findings in the report book.
References and further reading
Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.
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