Community Mental Health Nursing (RCMN)
HOME VISIT TO A CLIENT WITH MENTAL RETARDATION (INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY)
It is a purposeful visit by the RCPN to the home of client suffering from mental retardation. The nurse renders care with respect to the client's and family identified health needs.
Purpose
- Meet the specific health needs of the client and family in their home environment
- Monitor the progress of treatment, recovery and the coping strategies of the family
- Monitor the client's home environment for safety
- Promote rehabilitation
- Assess and identify stressors in the environment
- Maintain continuity of care
- Maximise client, family and societal level of independence of health or wellbeing
- Build confidence of the client and family
- Stimulate physical and mental activity
Indications
- Home visits to a client with intellectual disability (mental retardation).
- Monitoring progress, safety and the coping strategies of the family.
- Promoting rehabilitation and stimulating physical and mental activity.
Equipment
- A Well-Equipped Home Visit Bag
- Community Map and or Ghana Post 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 to 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
- Approach client in a calm and respectful manner to gain his cooperation
- Involve caregiver in the interactions with client's consent
- Enquire about client's acquired skills/abilities and or schooling
- Educate parents/caregivers on the severity or otherwise
- Educate and Counsel the parents/caregivers on:
- Special facilities available for client to help in the development of skills/abilities/education for his independence
- Personal and environmental hygiene needs and safety
- Nutritional needs of client
- Assess for client ability to engage in activities of daily living
- Refer problems beyond scope to the nearest unit or health facility
- Inform client/family about your next visit
- Leave your contact with client/caregiver and encourage them to call in case of emergency
- Document the care and findings in the report
- Express appreciation and depart
Precautions
- Approach the client in a calm and respectful manner to gain cooperation.
- Involve the caregiver in interactions only with the client's consent.
- Assess the home environment for safety and monitor progress.
- Refer problems beyond scope to the nearest 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
- Assess the client's acquired skills, abilities and schooling.
- Assess the client's ability to engage in activities of daily living.
Patient education
- Educate parents or caregivers on the severity, or otherwise, of the disability.
- Counsel parents or caregivers on special facilities available for skill development, education and independence.
- Educate parents or caregivers on personal and environmental hygiene, safety and nutritional needs.
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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