Meet Marie* who for many years managed her with the help of the Community Mental Health Team (CMHT), lived independently and had a well-established career as a chemist.
In 2019, everything changed for Marie when she stopped responding to her medication. This led to her being admitted to hospital and, upon discharge, a new chapter at Oakland House. Marie’s psychotic symptoms are acute. She experiences distressing auditory, visual, olfactory and tactile hallucinations. To deliver a high standard of care and the support Marie needs, our care team work diligently with CMHT and her consultant psychiatrist to adjust her medications and improve her quality of life.
Since December 2023, Marie’s medication has required constant review. Despite these ongoing challenges, we’ve managed to keep her out of hospital – a massive achievement for Marie. Marie benefits from familiar surroundings and has built trusting relationships with our dedicated team. Our person-centred approach, coupled with her need for a safe, stable environment ensures she gets the care she deserves. Whether she requires general observation or one-to-one 24-hour support, we tailor her care to meet her changing needs.
Our team works tirelessly to manage Marie’s symptoms and ensure her safety. She’s not alone in this journey. With every medication review, we consult her care team to weigh the effects and side effects, always putting her well-being first. Although finding the right medication has been a longer process than we hoped, Marie is better supported here at Oakland House, and she benefits immensely from being part of our caring community rather than in a hospital setting.
Outcomes: Marie’s symptoms are being proactively managed, and her safety is prioritised. When well, she often says how thankful she is for the care we provide and for preventing further hospital admissions.