I have so much to say here. I don’t know where to begin...
I have been in the Iowa Mental healthcare system for roughly 15 years, both as a patient, and as an inaugural Peer Support Specialist, receiving my initial training through the ABBE Center in Cedar Rapids, where I also reside.
I was diagnosed on 2009 with initially Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, and was suicidal. I also learned I had a personality disorder. I was sent to live at County Home Road for 18 months.
I credit the programming at County Home road for saving my life. Had I not learned that I had triggers and medication and meals provided daily I don’t think I would be alive today.
I worked hard, taking advantage of every class, even exercise group, which was not my favorite thing because I also have severe Fibromyalgia. At the end of 18 months, I my house had been sold, my assets liquidated and I was now on Medicaid.
I was resident I the Abbe Center’s Transitional Living housing program, which consists of a few apartments, including one staff office dedicated apartment. After 18 months there I moved into a condominium on my own. Staff paid community visits for several visits for years. I was doing well.
I took a job at the ABBE Center at their daily drop in club, Club 520, and afternoon community group with activities for anyone with a diagnosed mental illness in Linn County. It was an enjoyable job. I also took Saturdays to go over to the Transitional Living apartments and held a group every week. It was very enriching for all of us. I still miss some residents, especially those who passed away.
I was tapped for the initial group of IHH workers. I loved meeting with the clients. It was the numerous ill-timed meetings and inability to find company transportation that killed the job for me. There were 12 of us, each having to meet in person at least once a month with our 30 clients, for one hour (not including transportation time), and four cars. Often cars were not there. We had so many meetings that I couldn’t get my thoughts together. It was too stressful so I resigned.
All of this time up to present day, I have been extremely fortunate to have the same astute ABBE psychiatrist. I haven’t any idea how he manages such a huge caseload. In fact I’ve watch in these past five or six years, the number of ABBE psychiatrists dwindle down to two older men. I don’t see anyone else coming into their program and I’m perplexed as to what would happen if one were no longer able to see clients. That did happen for a while this fall.
My only backup was to make sure that I have my new ARNP has a psychiatric background, because over the past few years my mental health received a more devastating diagnosis is of Schizoaffective Disorder. This diagnosis makes more sense. And my mind has definitely degraded. I only drive familiar places in good days, so I don’t get lost.
I have to work harder these days to remember how to even remember how to type some of these words. I feel that what I have to say is important so I’m trying hard.
I moved into an assisted living facility and frankly, they’re not doing much for me. In fact, there are quite a few things that are wrong, but if you’re under 65 years of age your options appear to be nil. There is no correct place for me and at-home services failed me repeatedly. I couldn’t take it anymore. I trained people so often that it was if I was doing the work and they were paid. It only made my psychosis worse. I was in terrible pain all of the time too.
I would estimate that 60 percent of the residents where I live have some form of a mental illness. Having had some training, spending time with, and being a person with mental illness, I have a pretty good grasp on situations. Staff is usually clueless. They don’t understand these residents at all, especially those with dementia. There is a complete bypass for even communicating and understanding some people that have lived here. It saddens me.
Margaret, thank you for sharing your experiences and valuable insights here, and I'm so sorry for everything you've gone through.
I was unaware of the possible percentage of residents in assisted living facilities with some form of a mental illness. Thank you for bringing this to my attention as something to look into more.
I hope you keep writing and sharing your story as much as you're able. What you have to say is so very important.
I have so much to say here. I don’t know where to begin...
I have been in the Iowa Mental healthcare system for roughly 15 years, both as a patient, and as an inaugural Peer Support Specialist, receiving my initial training through the ABBE Center in Cedar Rapids, where I also reside.
I was diagnosed on 2009 with initially Depression, Anxiety, PTSD, and was suicidal. I also learned I had a personality disorder. I was sent to live at County Home Road for 18 months.
I credit the programming at County Home road for saving my life. Had I not learned that I had triggers and medication and meals provided daily I don’t think I would be alive today.
I worked hard, taking advantage of every class, even exercise group, which was not my favorite thing because I also have severe Fibromyalgia. At the end of 18 months, I my house had been sold, my assets liquidated and I was now on Medicaid.
I was resident I the Abbe Center’s Transitional Living housing program, which consists of a few apartments, including one staff office dedicated apartment. After 18 months there I moved into a condominium on my own. Staff paid community visits for several visits for years. I was doing well.
I took a job at the ABBE Center at their daily drop in club, Club 520, and afternoon community group with activities for anyone with a diagnosed mental illness in Linn County. It was an enjoyable job. I also took Saturdays to go over to the Transitional Living apartments and held a group every week. It was very enriching for all of us. I still miss some residents, especially those who passed away.
I was tapped for the initial group of IHH workers. I loved meeting with the clients. It was the numerous ill-timed meetings and inability to find company transportation that killed the job for me. There were 12 of us, each having to meet in person at least once a month with our 30 clients, for one hour (not including transportation time), and four cars. Often cars were not there. We had so many meetings that I couldn’t get my thoughts together. It was too stressful so I resigned.
All of this time up to present day, I have been extremely fortunate to have the same astute ABBE psychiatrist. I haven’t any idea how he manages such a huge caseload. In fact I’ve watch in these past five or six years, the number of ABBE psychiatrists dwindle down to two older men. I don’t see anyone else coming into their program and I’m perplexed as to what would happen if one were no longer able to see clients. That did happen for a while this fall.
My only backup was to make sure that I have my new ARNP has a psychiatric background, because over the past few years my mental health received a more devastating diagnosis is of Schizoaffective Disorder. This diagnosis makes more sense. And my mind has definitely degraded. I only drive familiar places in good days, so I don’t get lost.
I have to work harder these days to remember how to even remember how to type some of these words. I feel that what I have to say is important so I’m trying hard.
I moved into an assisted living facility and frankly, they’re not doing much for me. In fact, there are quite a few things that are wrong, but if you’re under 65 years of age your options appear to be nil. There is no correct place for me and at-home services failed me repeatedly. I couldn’t take it anymore. I trained people so often that it was if I was doing the work and they were paid. It only made my psychosis worse. I was in terrible pain all of the time too.
I would estimate that 60 percent of the residents where I live have some form of a mental illness. Having had some training, spending time with, and being a person with mental illness, I have a pretty good grasp on situations. Staff is usually clueless. They don’t understand these residents at all, especially those with dementia. There is a complete bypass for even communicating and understanding some people that have lived here. It saddens me.
Margaret, thank you for sharing your experiences and valuable insights here, and I'm so sorry for everything you've gone through.
I was unaware of the possible percentage of residents in assisted living facilities with some form of a mental illness. Thank you for bringing this to my attention as something to look into more.
I hope you keep writing and sharing your story as much as you're able. What you have to say is so very important.
There is quite a bit of insight I think I could deliver at some other place.