In recent years, the UK’s mental health landscape has seen a troubling surge. In 2022 alone, English mental health services received a record 4.6 million referrals, a massive 22% rise from 2019. [1] As the demand skyrockets, the strain is felt across specialist services and general practices, which are still reeling from the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic and cuts to funding services.
With the number of adults seeking mental health treatment witnessing a 71% increase since 2000 and a quarter experiencing waiting times of up to 16 weeks, some even resort to turning up at A&E to get the help they need. [2] Traditional routes of care often require lengthy residential stays and may be overly expensive, and it’s evident that our usual systems are overwhelmed or inaccessible to most. Now, more than ever, there’s a need for timely, effective alternatives—like private home-based mental health care.
What Can Home-Based Mental Health Care Help With?
Home-based mental health care is a broad way to describe a multitude of versatile services that can be used dynamically, reflecting the vast range of mental health concerns that exist.
- Addiction: This provides a supportive environment to address substance use and its root causes. Familiar surroundings foster trust and open dialogue, making the recovery journey smoother.
- Eating Disorders: Home-based care provides medical oversight and, more importantly, an empathetic environment. It also enables tailored interventions without the sometimes intimidating environment of inpatient care.
- Mental Health Concerns: Whether it’s anxiety, depression, or other conditions, home-based care offers a non-clinical setting, making people more receptive to therapy and enhancing outcomes.
- Dementia: Home comfort is unmatched for those facing cognitive challenges. Home-based care reduces distress, promotes better cognitive function, and ensures a sense of familiarity.
Overcoming Barriers with Home-Based Care
One of the major advantages of home-based mental health care is how it can directly address and alleviate the barriers many face in accessing traditional treatments.
Transportation Issues
For people who may find it difficult to travel due to physical disabilities, geographical constraints, or even a lack of suitable transportation, having a nurse come to their home eliminates the need for potentially stressful commutes to treatment centres or hospitals.
Illness and Personal Crises
During times when a person’s mental or physical health makes it challenging to leave their home or when personal crises arise, home-based nursing care ensures continuous and uninterrupted support. This consistency can be key in managing and recovering from severe episodes or crises.
Stigma
Unfortunately, the stigma associated with seeking mental healthcare can deter many from accessing the help they need. By receiving care in the privacy of their home, people can bypass public spaces and waiting rooms, making the process more discreet and less intimidating.
Long Waiting Lists
One of the major drawbacks of traditional mental health services is prolonged waiting times, which can let conditions spiral and leave people feeling abandoned. With private home-based care, people can bypass these extensive queues, ensuring they receive the help they deserve. This also has the hidden benefit of providing peace of mind, knowing that help is available when it is needed most.
Cost Considerations
One of the barriers to seeking mental health treatment is often the financial strain. Traditional treatment settings can accrue hidden costs, such as transportation, missed workdays, and sometimes even accommodation. Home-based care can alleviate many of these expenditures, making it more affordable to everyone.
Deepening the Therapeutic Relationship at Home
The setting of therapy plays an important role in shaping its outcome. In the comfort of our own homes, barriers often come down more quickly, allowing us to be our authentic selves. This natural setting encourages open dialogue, establishing trust and rapport faster – essential components for successful therapeutic change.
Also, home-based care offers nurses the unique advantage of seeing people in their day-to-day environment. By witnessing real-life interactions, routines, and challenges, nurses can gain invaluable insights which allow for a more comprehensive understanding of a person’s life, leading to more tailored and effective therapeutic interventions.
There’s an undeniable advantage to receiving care within one’s familiar surroundings. Firstly, its sheer convenience eliminates the stress and time associated with travelling to clinics, ensuring that the individual can focus solely on their recovery journey. This convenience also translates to more punctual and consistent sessions, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the care.
Additionally, being in a known environment means that specific behaviours and triggers linked to that setting can be addressed head-on. The safety and comfort of our homes will often reduce potential anxieties or inhibitions tied to external clinical settings. Additionally, the home setting allows for the potential involvement of family members in the therapeutic process if this benefits the client. This inclusive approach ensures that therapy can include broader relational dynamics, paving the way for a more holistic healing process.
Challenges of At-Home Care
While home-based mental health care offers many benefits, it’s essential to acknowledge potential challenges that include but are not limited to:
- Upholding the same high standard of care in a home setting.
- Addressing feelings of isolation that might arise without the communal setting of a clinic.
- Safeguarding both the client and the nurse, especially in environments not initially designed for therapeutic interventions.
- Determining the appropriateness of home-based care for individuals with severe conditions, such as acute psychosis, active suicidal ideation, self-harm, or BMIs below 17.
Embrace Home-Based Care with Assured Healthcare and Wellness
Choosing the right mental health care approach can make all the difference. With Assured Healthcare and Wellness, you’re not just selecting a service; you’re embracing a community-driven nursing approach that prioritises your well-being in the comfort of your home.
We’re proud to provide a holistic treatment plan emphasising collaboration and personalisation. Our vision is a world where mental health challenges are addressed promptly, reducing the need for hospitalisations and ensuring long-term recovery outcomes.
If you or a loved one are experiencing mental health challenges, don’t wait. Reach out to Assured Healthcare and Wellness today and discover the transformative potential of home-based nursing care.
