6 minute read
Appalachian Regional Behavioral Health
the needs of hospice and palliative patients in the three-county area. One of the members sits on the Board of Directors for AMOREM, ensuring that High Country needs are voiced.
Volunteers are integral to the success of hospice care. Individuals who are interested in working with AMOREM are asked to complete the application form found on the website, www.amoremsupport.org, or call 828-754-0101 or 1-844-4AMOREM. Volunteer trainings are currently taking place virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interested individuals can assist in the office or at the thrift store in Valdese, assist with story gathering for the Legacy Project, serve as grief support volunteers, or patient or family support volunteers. Tasks might include reading, letter-writing, caregiver relief or yardwork. Volunteers have been used to provide music for patients. Veterans Honoring Veterans allows military veteran volunteers to honor veteran patients with a small Aamerican flag, a certificate of appreciation and a lapel pin to honor their military service.
“There are several important ways individuals can help in the community,” shares Caviness. “Donor assistance is always appreciated because we care for anyone who desires our care. In addition, one can provide educational information about hospice and palliative medicine to one’s faith group or service organization to help dispel myths about end-of-life care. Finally, anyone can make a referral…for someone or yourself. The admission team will determine if the patient meets the criteria for care and needed services for improving quality of life.”
For more information about resources available, or to make a referral, call 828-754-0101 or 1-844-4AMOREM, or visit www.amoremsupport.org.
Appalachian Regional Behavioral Health Hospital:
Serving the Community with Quality, Safety, & Dignity By Kim S. Davis
The long awaited opening of the Appalachian Regional Behavioral Health Hospital (ARBHH) has arrived. Not only does this mean that more patients can now access high quality behavioral healthcare treatment, but the new facility has helped create 60 new jobs for the area. This top-tier treatment center provides innovative designs, streamlined processes, and applicable technology that enhance exceptional and dignified care beginning with an expedited admission process. The hospital’s phased-opening is now underway.
Behavioral health issues affect every family to a certain extent, as well as the entire community. And while the focus of Appalachian Regional Behavioral Health (ARBH) is to improve access to high quality behavioral health services, it is also important to normalize behavioral health conditions. “People are comfortable sharing medical conditions with others but are less willing to talk about anxiety or depression,” explains Stephanie Pate Greer, President of Appalachian Regional Behavioral Health Hospital. “We need to take away the stigma so people will seek care earlier and reduce the likelihood of a crisis situation.”
Early intervention behavioral health, like any other medical condition, can limit the severity of the illness and support a more complete and rapid recovery. ARBH strives to meet people where they are and provide what is needed at that given time; therefore, as of December 27, 2021, potential patients are able to walk into the first-floor admissions area and receive an immediate evaluation without having to go through the emergency department at Cannon Memorial Hospital or Watauga Medical Center. After the evaluation, those requiring inpatient services will receive meals, personalized medication, and therapy treatment schedules based on their specific needs. If an individual does not require hospitalization, they will be referred to outpatient behavioral health services and receive a customized action plan.
For patients who are admitted to inpatient care, they will spend an average of 5-7 days as active participants in their treatment and healing in the inpatient setting. The residential areas offer both private and semi-private rooms, but patients will spend very little time in those spaces. Patients will spend the majority of their day in the treatment mall with clinicians. In this space, innovative technology allows professionals to capture and print the content of every open group setting so patients may add that to their individual recovery plan.
All of the spaces are designed with safety and comfort in mind. Open floor plans and windows not only provide visibility but also let in a lot of natural light. The beauty and peace of the mountain views also help provide a unique healing environment.
Family support and involvement is a cornerstone of care, and they are encouraged to visit. Visitation spaces include dedicated areas for court, outside support meetings, attorney conferences, and collaboration with other physicians and providers.
To help provide patient dignity and autonomy, meals are served buffet-style and several choices of mealtimes are available.
When treatment is complete, patients, staff and family members meet to discuss discharge plans and ways to support the patient as they acclimate back into the community.
Often, patients who are discharged from ARBHH will continue their care through Appalachian Regional Behavioral Health’s outpatient clinic, which provides care for adults and children over the age of five. Services include assessments, medication management, psychological testing, therapy services, and counseling.
If you or someone you love needs help, don’t hesitate to call 828-737-7071 or come by ARBHH. No referral is necessary. For more information, please visit apprhs.org/appalachian-regional-behavioral-health.
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