Free Geriatric Mental Health Training and Assistance Available for Nursing Homes
The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) is offering two free resources to support nursing homes caring for individuals with mental illness: the URMC Project ECHO in Geriatric Mental Health and the URMC Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Telepsychiatry Program. Both are sponsored by the NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH).
The URMC Project ECHO in Geriatric Mental Health helps integrate behavioral health services into SNFs by connecting them to a “hub” of UR Medicine specialists (from psychiatry, geriatrics, nursing, social work, psychology, and pharmacy). The ECHO program meets virtually on a biweekly basis. The first half of the clinic is an evidence-based didactic presentation pertaining to needs raised by the SNF staff, and the second half is a case presentation by one of the SNFs. The SNF that presents the case receives both live feedback and written recommendations from the specialty hub team. Social work continuing education credits are available to participants.
To register for the ECHO and add your name to the distribution list, email Linda Williams here. More information is available here. The next ECHO clinic will take place on Feb. 13th.
The URMC SNF Telepsychiatry Program is targeted to nursing homes statewide that have admitted a patient from a psychiatric center within the past two years. A community health nurse from the psychiatric center is assigned to the resident for up to two years and visits the nursing home to assist staff with the transition and issues that arise. Through on-site visits and telepsychiatry, the program provides:
- access to comprehensive psychiatric services;
- medication reduction and reconciliation;
- non-pharmacologic recommendations;
- assistance with patient behavioral planning; and
- enhanced psychiatric education and clinical skills for the treatment team.
To inquire about enrolling your facility in the program, contact Lara Press-Ellingham here. More information is available here.
Contact: Karen Lipson, klipson@leadingageny.org