Guide to Transitioning from Inpatient Care Helpful Information for Families and Friends of Patients McLEAN MISSION McLean Hospital is dedicated to improving the lives of people and families afected by psychiatric illness. McLean pursues this mission by: • Providing the highest quality compassionate, specialized and efective clinical care, in partnership with those whom we serve; • Conducting state-of-the-art scientific investigation to maximize discovery and accelerate translation of findings towards achieving prevention and cures; • Training the next generation of leaders in psychiatry, mental health and neuroscience; • Providing public education to facilitate enlightened policy and eliminate stigma. McLean Values are at the core of everything we do. As clinicians, researchers, ‘‘educators, administrators, and support staf, we conduct ourselves in ways that refect our deep commitment to integrity, compassion and respect, diversity and teamwork, excellence and innovation. These Values are the essence of McLean; they are at once emblematic of who we are and what we aspire to be. ~ Scott L. Rauch, MD, President and Psychiatrist in Chief, McLean Hospital’’ McLEAN VALUES We dedicate ourselves each and every day to McLean’s mission of clinical care, scientific discovery, professional training, and public education in order to improve the lives of people with psychiatric illness and their families. In all of our work, we strive to: • Conduct ourselves with unwavering integrity • Demonstrate compassion and respect for our patients, their families, and our colleagues • Foster an environment that embraces diversity and promotes teamwork • Achieve excellence and ever-better efectiveness and efciency through innovation A NOTE FROM THE McLEAN SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT Dear Family Member, Because you are reading this, it is likely that you are going through the experience of having a loved one hospitalized with a psychiatric illness. Our hearts go out to you. This guide has been developed to help you through the transition and the confusing maze that is our healthcare system. Because families come in all shapes, sizes, and combinations, everyone’s experience will be diferent. The one thing that is consistent, however, is that families play a vital role in the recovery process. Inspired by our social workers’ countless meetings with patients, families, and McLean’s Patient and Family Advisory Council, this guide addresses questions that are often posed by families as their loved ones prepare to leave an inpatient unit at McLean. Thank you to all of the family members who have advised us by sharing their insights, perspectives, and suggestions as we developed this guide. Our goal at McLean Hospital is to help you and your loved one by afrming hope, supporting treatment, and helping everyone move forward with new knowledge, skills, and realistic expectations. We hope that you will find this guide helpful. Sincerely, Department of Social Work McLean Hospital If you would like to ofer feedback or suggestions for this guide, please contact us at [email protected]. Guide to Transitioning from Inpatient Care Section 1: The Road Ahead What Do You Mean by Recovery? ..........................................................................................................................................................6 When Can We Have Our Old Lives Back? ...........................................................................................................................................6 Dealing With a Possible Relapse ............................................................................................................................................................7 Providing Support ......................................................................................................................................................................................7 Caring For the Caregiver ..........................................................................................................................................................................8 Section 2: Discharge Planning Levels of Care .............................................................................................................................................................................................10 Treatment Providers ...............................................................................................................................................................................10 Finding a Treatment Provider ...............................................................................................................................................................11 What Are a Patient’s Confidentiality Rights and Authorizations? ............................................................................................12 Financial Planning ...................................................................................................................................................................................13 Navigating the Insurance Maze ...........................................................................................................................................................14 Table of Contents Defining Various Legal Terms and Statuses .....................................................................................................................................14 A Final Thought ........................................................................................................................................................................................14 Appendix A: Print and Web Resources Print Resources .........................................................................................................................................................................................16 Web Resources ..........................................................................................................................................................................................17 Older Adult Care .......................................................................................................................................................................................18 Appendix B: Specialty Levels of Care Substance Use Disorder Levels of Care .............................................................................................................................................19 Geriatric Conditions Levels of Care....................................................................................................................................................19 Appendix C: Treatment Providers Treatment Providers ...............................................................................................................................................................................21 Appendix D: Legal Terms and Statuses Legal Terms and Statuses ...................................................................................................................................................................... 23 Notes Notes ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 26 Section 1 The Road Ahead Guide to Transitioning from Inpatient Care: The Road Ahead Your loved one is taking the positive step of getting characterized caring for someone with mental illness out of the hospital. It may seem counterintuitive, but as “a marathon rather than a sprint.” She went on to say transitioning out of the hospital may be unsettling for that “while there may be a great sense of helplessness at some people. The ultimate goal during this potentially times, there are things you can do as a family member to stressful time is to work to transition your loved help in the recovery process. A supportive and informed one back into the community, minimizing stressors family is enormously important as the patient and his whenever possible. The inpatient treatment team or her physician strive to gain control. Patience and will work with patients and their families to develop a information are powerful weapons in this struggle.” comprehensive plan to address symptoms, treatment McLean’s social workers have identified the following needs, and goals while simultaneously working to key messages as essential for families during the empower the individual in his or her recovery. Having transition of their loved one from the hospital: appropriate clinical treatment and care following discharge helps reinforce this transition. • There is hope. Recovery is possible. • You play an important role in your family member’s What Do You Mean By Recovery? recovery process. “Recovery refers to the process in which people are • Knowledge is power. Educate yourself about able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their psychiatric illness. communities. For some individuals, recovery is the • It is vital that you take good care of yourself. ability to live a fulfilling and productive life despite a • We are here to help. disability. For others, recovery implies the reduction or complete remission of symptoms. Science has shown When Can We Have Our that having hope plays an integral role in an individual’s Old Lives Back? recovery.” (Achieving the Promise: Transforming Mental Health Care In America, President’s New Freedom The experience