Community Mental Health Nursing (RCMN)
HOME VISIT TO THE AGED LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
This is a purposeful visit by the RCPN to the home of an aged client with identified mental illness and his family. The nurse renders care with respect to the client's/family specific health needs.
Purpose
- Meet the specific needs of clients in their home environment
- Monitor the progress of care rendered to client by caregivers
- Prevent client from relapsing
- Interact with clients and family in their natural environment
- Assess and identify stressors in the environment
- Maximise client, family and societal level of independence of health or wellbeing
- Ensure compliance
- Build confidence of the client and family
Indications
- Home visits to aged clients with identified mental illness.
- Monitoring the progress of care rendered by caregivers.
- Assessing and managing age-specific physical, mental and social needs in the home.
Equipment
- A Well-Equipped Home Visit Bag including specific items and equipment needed for the care of the aged with mental illness
- Community Map and or GhanaPost Global Positions System (GPS)
- Area Register
- Means of Transportation
Preparation
- Carry specific items and equipment needed for the care of the aged with mental illness.
- Read the community map or GPS and identify the home of the client.
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 and enquire about the general health of client
- Observe the client's environment for cleanliness and safety
- Ensure privacy and confidentiality
- Involve caregiver in client care with his consent
- Interview and counsel client/caregiver on
- Nutritional needs
- Bowel movement, personal and environmental cleanliness
- Mobility/exercise and sleep pattern
- Social activities
- Adherence to medications/regular reviews
- Prevention of home accidents
- Interpersonal relationship with family members
- Behaviour at home
- Assess and identify peculiar problems
- Draw a care plan to manage the problems identified
- Leave your contact with client and or caregiver and encourage them to call in case of emergency
- Inform client and family of your next visit
- Document the care and findings
- Express appreciation and depart
Precautions
- Assess the home environment for safety, especially risks of falls and home accidents.
- Involve the caregiver in client care only with the client's consent.
- Screen for self-neglect, malnutrition, caregiver strain and signs of relapse.
- Refer needs beyond the nurse's scope to the appropriate facility.
Aftercare
- Inform the client and family of the next visit date.
- Leave contact details with the client or caregiver for emergencies.
Nursing considerations
- Assess and identify peculiar problems and draw a care plan to manage them.
- Maintain continuity of care and monitor the progress of care rendered by caregivers.
Patient education
- Counsel the client and caregiver on nutritional needs.
- Counsel on bowel movement, personal and environmental cleanliness, mobility, exercise and sleep pattern.
- Counsel on prevention of home accidents, social activities, adherence to medications and behaviour at home.
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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