Psychiatric assessment in the home: applications in home care

Home evaluation of the client experiencing psychiatric problems is a complex task, but it does not have to be an overwhelming or impossible one. Home care nurses, with their broad assessment skills and ability to make independent decisions, are in the ideal position to assess and detect the presence of clients' psychiatric problems. Although the psychiatric clinical nurse specialist (or mental health nurse practitioner) can be an important resource, it is the nurse, who is in the home daily, who has the advantage of really knowing the client and recognizing early signs of emotional/mental distress. Through early recognition of problems, thorough assessments, and appropriate planning, the client experiencing psychiatric problems in the home will receive the care he or she deserves.