Caring For The Body And Mind In Long-Term Care

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Behavioral Health Integration
• Healthcare Systems Analysis

Background:

• Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) often provide fragmented care.
• Residents in SNFs face significant unmet behavioral health needs.
• Siloed healthcare models impede comprehensive patient well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the detrimental effects of fragmented care in SNFs.
• To underscore the deficiency in behavioral health services for SNF residents.
• To advocate for integrated care models in geriatric settings.

Main Methods:

• Observational insights from a practicing podiatrist.
• Qualitative analysis of patient care experiences.
• Case study approach within a skilled nursing facility setting.

Main Results:

• Siloed medical services lead to adverse health outcomes for residents.
• Lack of accessible behavioral health support exacerbates resident suffering.
• Podiatric care is negatively impacted by the absence of holistic health assessments.

Conclusions:

• Integrated care models are essential for SNF residents.
• Behavioral health must be a core component of geriatric care.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration can mitigate the harms of siloed healthcare.