Residential Treatment during the COVD-19 crisis
Co-Authors: Aaron Oliver and Joanna Lilley
The first priority of residential treatment right now, is to keep the current residents and staff safe. We must minimize risk of exposure. For a program that is privately funded and small, the decision to halt admissions temporarily may have a devastating impact, while others who hunker down may be able to weather the storm. Regardless, programs are getting creative with how to protect those that need their services most.
To be blunt, residential treatment was not designed for social distancing, and we can all agree that there would never have been an opportune time for COVID-19. For those who were previously struggling with mental health and/or addiction issues, the added stress of a public health crisis only makes matters worse. Know that access to treatment is still available during this time, and that residential programs are doing the best they can to protect the existing safety of their community and potential new members.
Below, we identify the ways in which residential treatment programs were already safe prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, and we also highlight programmatic details that have been adjusted for the overall safety of the community.
Things that make residential treatment safe during the COVID-19 crisis:
Housing is already set for social distancing
Testing and screening prior to admission
Daily temperature and wellness screenings for staff and patients
Protective masks and gloves for staff and patients
Consolidation of treatment housing
Limiting exposure outside of the treatment household container
Things that are slightly changed during this time of public health concern:
Redefining what protocols exist on a daily basis
Taking temperatures of clients and staff as they arrive each day
Adjustments to the daily schedule; only allowing residents to come during certain times
Admitting, and doing additional screening.
Following all CDC changes
Discussing all policies & procedures on the front-end with families during admit calls.
Non-essential staff aren’t allowed near the programming; shifting to working remotely
More creative means of getting patients to the facility for admission (ex: driving instead of flying)
Significant increase in communication to families and referents regarding programmatic changes and safety of clients
Although some programs have made the painful decision to temporarily suspend operations, sending clients home while providing virtual support, other programs are still operating business-as-usual with some additional COVID-19 protocols. Please know that help, that treatment, is still available during this time! You, or your loved one does not need to suffer at home in quarantine. Access to mental healthcare and treatment is essential. If you are not sure where to find real-time information on program protocols or closings, the best advice would be to seek out and hire a Therapeutic Consultant.
For questions and comments contact:
Aaron Oliver via email.
