As we enter a huge wave of residents being admitted to skilled nursing facilities with a diagnosis of substance use disorders (SUDs), we as professionals have to ensure that we know how to properly care for that population.
When a nursing home gets a resident admitted to their facility with a substance use disorder, their admission is typically medical (infection, wound, etc.). But then what? We have these residents in our facility under our care, now what do we do?
The best way to approach this is by treating all residents with dignity and respect despite their diagnosis. Just as we would do with any other resident, get to know them for who they are beyond their substance use or mental health diagnosis. We have to separate the person from their diagnosis.
Once we build a solid foundation of trust, respect and understanding for our residents, then that gives us the invitation to step into their world. Find out their interests and hobbies; learn their triggers that may or may not result in behaviors.
As staff members, we can also provide community outlets and support to these residents, such as a peer specialist, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
Connecting residents back to their community is truly essential because the majority of the SUDS and populations that enter into your nursing homes will eventually be discharged back into their community.
Another helpful tool for these residents is also case management work. This type of work and planning is typically done by the social worker within the facility. This includes finding housing and assisting residents on how to apply for government assistance if needed once they leave the facility.
We are doing our residents a great deal of disservice if we just treat them medically and get them out of the door. To aid in building these individuals back up, we need to keep our focus on person-centered approaches and treat the whole person.
Also, education is key for staff. Continued education about substance use and mental health diagnoses help foster a sense of confidence for staff members. They also will feel empowered and prepared when proper education is available to them.
With all this being said, don’t be afraid of what is to come within the nursing home industry. Be equipped, be emphatic, have compassion and provide resources and programming that meet the needs of our residents individually.
Diamond Boone, M.Ed, CDP, CADDCT, ADC, CDSGF, CMDCPT, CLC, is Corporate Director of Therapeutic Recreation and Memory Care Program Coordinator for Athena Health Care Systems. She also was a Rising Star honoree in the 2024 McKnight’s Women of Distinction awards program.
The opinions expressed in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News guest submissions are the author’s and are not necessarily those of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News or its editors.
Have a column idea? See our submission guidelines here.
