Florida Home Health Expands Its Psychiatric Nursing Program

Florida Home Health, an agency known for service to seniors, is expanding its psychiatric nursing program.

The program is an alternative to lengthy stays in, or readmissions to, a psychiatric facility or hospital. It provides family and caregiver support, education, and community resources in the home to maintain a healthy and safe environment for the patient.

"Our mental health program is a direct tie with our mission of advocacy for our senior population, therefore evaluations address all physical, emotional, and mental health issues," said Gloria Allen, director of professional services. "It is such an asset to the community that we have available specialized training for Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers."

Developed nearly two years ago, Florida Home Health's Psychiatric Nursing Program offers a cost-effective method of treating the homebound or noncompliant psychiatric patient. The agency utilizes specially trained nurses and a comprehensive approach to providing high quality care in a safe home environment.

Nurses instruct patients and/or caregivers on new medications, techniques for activities of daily living, diet, coping skills, anxiety resolution, relaxation techniques, communication skills, and socialization skills. New patient assessments include consideration of the patient's physical, psychological and social needs, home environment, evaluation of caregiver's support in maintaining home care needs, and instruction on all aspects of home care. Home care nurses will then continue to support and evaluate patients while keeping on-going communication with the physician.

Kerry Robinson, RN and certified psychiatric nurse, has 22 years experience caring for patients with depression, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, panic and anxiety disorders, dementia, paranoid disorders, impaired insight and judgment disorders. Robinson prefers to refer to herself as a holistic nurse whose approach considers the three sides of a patient, the emotional, physical and spiritual.

New with the agency is Mike Sanders, a registered nurse with nearly 10 years of experience with psychiatric patients.

"I chose this agency because the Florida Home Health clinical team's cohesion and level of interest in the patients' health, needs and wellbeing is superior to other local home health agencies," Sanders said. "Home Health is so vital because many patients with mental health issues have trouble leaving the home. Fortunately, home health is a service free to patients with Medicare as their primary insurance."

The program began several years ago as a way to benefit a select group of patients. The program now has served hundreds of patients.

"Our agency has seen real growth in this program because patients and caregivers are so grateful for our nurses that they are spreading the word," said Kathleen Border, account executive. "More and more people are asking to be sent to the Florida Home Health Psychiatric Program upon being discharged from local hospitals and during visits with their physicians."

For more information about the Florida Home Health Psychiatric Nursing Program, call Border at 863-368-1985.