Has LTC become A Dumping Ground for the Mentally Ill? Those of us who work there definitely believe that.
Little Assistance Needed
Our home has had some residents who are perfectly capable of living in the community with only a little assistance. One woman in particular is a favourite resident. She is mentally delayed and certainly a challenge for her multiple siblings, but she does not require a nursing home. She has lived in our home for 15 years.
Another lady came from a retirement home. Moving into a nursing home was a great financial move for this lady and her family. She lives in a large wardroom which is fully funded by the taxpayer. She is a very social lady and, quite frankly, a joy to be around. She needs no routine nursing care.
Self-destructive
Then there are those residents who, due to addiction and their self-destructive nature, are placed in a nursing home. One lady, “Madeline”, 60 years old, came to the home after being found in her apartment having lived on beer and only beer for long enough to have damaged her brain. She was very angry. She was violent and one day she acted out and screamed at staff. She slammed at the front door which is kept locked, and she threw her walker at me. Our nursing administrator at the time got her back to her room and called the doctor. She was admitted to the psychiatric ward at the hospital. We, at this time, learned that she had a history of psychosis and addiction. She had been shielded from consequences by her protective mother. Then her mother died. And she was left on her own.
Recently we have admitted a young woman, Gloria, aged 35, who has a debilitating disease, Huntington’s Chorea. She will become more and more mentally impaired. Psychosis comes with the disease. She has uncontrollable movements that can currently be controlled with medication. But mentally she is like a spoiled child. She lies, hits, and wants. She has actual physical, fall on the floor, temper tantrums. She does not require nursing care at this time.
Dangerous
Physically, they are a danger to the frail old dears who walk slowly with their walker, who sometimes don’t even know where they are. Gloria and Madeline want what they want, and they are strong enough to get it. They don’t care what it may cost someone else. Both of these residents came from the hospital. All of the residents described will live for many years. They will take up a bed in the nursing home for many years. In an article from a Sudbury, Ontario newscast, a Doctor, who worked in Long Term Care for many years, asked if LTC homes were becoming a “dumping ground” for psychiatric patients. Those of us working in nursing homes know this is, in fact, the case.
Multifaceted problem
The problem is multifaceted but, simply put, Psychiatric Patients can be violent. They are likely to be dangerous to the frail elderly. And they take up a bed for many years that could be used for many geriatric or palliative people who have a much shorter life span and are taking up a bed in hospital that should be used for those acutely ill or injured.
Has Long Term Care become a dumping ground for psychiatric patients? Yes!
Mental illness is still a topic that is avoided by many people. Unfortunately, the society that we live in, also shuns those that have mental issues. Many of those that have a mental illness, need specialised medical care, or target psychiatric care. But increasingly we find that they are shifted into homes where the care and treatment they receive,might not be suitable for their needs.
It is disturbing to find that patients that need long term care, suffer because of psychiatric patients that are put together with them. It seems to be a very widespread challenge to provide the correct care for those that are mentally challenged.
Improving specific psychiatric care facilities should provide the targeted care that mentally ill patients require. Thank you for highlighting this important factor.
I appreciate your comment. It is indeed a disturbing situation. I wish I knew how to fix this.