Serious mental illness in Florida nursing homes: need for training.
This study examined how the mental health needs of nursing home (NH) residents with serious mental illness (SMI) are addressed. Data were collected from three sources: interviews with 84 SMI stakeholders; surveys of 206 NH staff members; and focus groups at two psychiatry specialty NHs. Four common themes emerged: placement of older adults with SMI was a significant problem for discharge planners and NH admission coordinators; NH staff reported being uneasy with SMI residents and were concerned over aggressive behavior; staff in NHs with psychiatry specialty units appeared more comfortable serving SMI residents; and SMI training was a consistent recommendation of all SMI stakeholders and NH staff. Implications for training are discussed.
Molinari
Victor A
VA
Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave., MHC 1400, Tampa, FL 33620, USA. vmolinari@fmhi.usf.edu
Merritt
Stacy S
SS
Mills
Whitney L
WL
Chiriboga
David A
DA
Conboy
Ann
A
Hyer
Kathryn
K
Becker
Marion A
MA
D000368:Aged; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D005431:Florida; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration