title: Community families: an alternative to psychiatric hospital intensive care.
abstract: For the past four years Southwest Denver Community Mental Health Services, Inc., has had a system of alternative families who take one or two psychiatric patients who need intensive treatment into their homes; the clients' average stay is ten days. Thus far approximately 220 client placements have been effectively carried out in a network of five homes. Clients who receive psychotropic medication have its effects monitored by a staff psychiatrist, medical nurse coordinator, and nurse clinician. A study conducted by independent researchers over the initial two-year period indicates that the homes are more effective in certain respects than a psychiatric hospital in providing intensive care.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012114:Residential Treatment; D012649:Self Concept; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014149:Tranquilizing Agents