September 2023 Newsletter
The Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities (COE-NF) provides mental health and substance use evidence-based training, customized technical assistance, and resources to certified Medicare and Medicaid nursing facilities who care for residents with a variety of behavioral health conditions at absolutely no cost. To submit a request for assistance, complete the online request form by clicking HERE.
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In This Issue
This month’s newsletter will define recovery and provide key principles and approaches to supporting the recovery process. This approach will provide a higher quality of care to residents with behavioral health disorders and also help nursing facilities comply with regulatory guidance.
In this issue:
In this issue:
- Cohort Learning Opportunity: Behavioral Health Action Network Series
- National Recovery Month
- What is Recovery
- Recovery Resources
- Access to Treatment for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
- National Suicide Prevention Month
- Suicide Statistics
- Recovery, Substance Use, and Nursing Facility Regulatory Guidance
- COE-NF Resources for Recovery and Recovery Awareness in Nursing Facilities
- Guide for Substance Use Screening in Nursing Facilities
- 4 Ways Nursing Facilities Can Promote Substance Use Recovery
- SAMHSA: Creating a Healthier Life: A Step-By-Step Guide
- SAMHSA: The Eight Dimensions of Wellness Poster
- Did You Know?
- Register for Upcoming COE-NF Training Sessions
- You Matter – Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
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Cohort Learning Opportunity
Register to attend Your Region's Behavioral Health Action Network Series
Join the COE-NF’s Behavioral Health Action Network for an opportunity to learn industry best practices from other nursing facilities and behavioral health subject matter experts.
Beginning this month, the COE-NF is hosting six (6) one-hour monthly cohort sessions across the United States to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services certified nursing facilities.
CLICK HERE for more information and to register to attend and join a cohort in your region. CME credits are offered for these sessions.
Beginning this month, the COE-NF is hosting six (6) one-hour monthly cohort sessions across the United States to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services certified nursing facilities.
CLICK HERE for more information and to register to attend and join a cohort in your region. CME credits are offered for these sessions.
National Recovery Month
September is designated as National Recovery Month. The month is aimed at promoting and supporting new treatment and recovery practices, the recovery community, and the dedicated service providers who make recovery possible for those experiencing mental health and substance use disorders.
CLICK HERE to access the toolkit from SAMSHA for social media content, resources and ideas to promote recovery in your nursing facility.
CLICK HERE to access the toolkit from SAMSHA for social media content, resources and ideas to promote recovery in your nursing facility.
What is Recovery?
SAMHSA defines recovery as "a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.”
The recovery process is personal and may include clinical treatment, medications, faith-based approaches, peer and/or family support, and self-care.
SAMHSA has designated 4 major dimensions of recovery:
SAMHSA defines recovery as "a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential.”
The recovery process is personal and may include clinical treatment, medications, faith-based approaches, peer and/or family support, and self-care.
SAMHSA has designated 4 major dimensions of recovery:
- Health – Making informed, healthy choices that support well-being.
- Home – Having a safe and stable place to live.
- Purpose – Conducting meaningful daily activities and participating in society.
- Community – Engaging in relationships and social networks that provide support.
Looking for Recovery Resources?
Access a national clearinghouse of resources for recovery-oriented care across the mental health, substance use and co-occurring domains from the Office of Recovery.
Resources
Access to Treatment for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) is a free 24/7 helpline available in English and Spanish for individuals and families facing mental health and/or substance use disorders. This service can also help provide referrals to treatment facilities, support groups, and other organizations. For more information, CLICK HERE.
FindTreatment.gov is a confidential and anonymous resource for persons seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders in the United States and its territories.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) is a free 24/7 helpline available in English and Spanish for individuals and families facing mental health and/or substance use disorders. This service can also help provide referrals to treatment facilities, support groups, and other organizations. For more information, CLICK HERE.
FindTreatment.gov is a confidential and anonymous resource for persons seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders in the United States and its territories.
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National Suicide Prevention Month
September is also designated as National Suicide Prevention Month. Organizations across the United States use this designation to raise awareness, provide resources and acknowledge the individuals, families and communities that have been impacted.
Visit the Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC): Each year, the SPRC creates a resource full of ways to get involved in Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. CLICK HERE for the 2023 resource.
Suicide Statistics
Per the National Institute of Health, the incidence of suicide is 14 per 100,000 nursing facility residents compared to 15 per 100,000 in the community.
Older adults have among the highest suicide risk in the United States; the rates of suicide among men aged 65 years and older is 30 per 100,000. By contrast, the rates are 7 per 100,000 for men younger than 25 years.
Looking for Suicide Prevention Trainings?
Register to attend the Building A Better Suicide Risk Assessment: The Nuts and Bolts of the Columbia Protocol session offered at no cost. Check the website for more information and to register for other upcoming events.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. Chat is available through the websites at 988lifeline.org/chat. For additional information click here: https://988lifeline.org.
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Recovery, Substance Use and Nursing Facility Regulatory Guidance
F742: Treatment and Services for Mental and Psychosocial Concerns
The CMS State Operations Manual (SOM) for F742 states that facilities must ensure that a resident who displays or is diagnosed with a behavioral health disorder receives appropriate treatment and services to correct the assessed problem or to attain the highest practicable mental and psychosocial well-being.
Key components of compliance include:
Source:CMS Appendix PP State Operations Manual, Pg. 515
What Can You Do TODAY?
The CMS State Operations Manual (SOM) for F742 states that facilities must ensure that a resident who displays or is diagnosed with a behavioral health disorder receives appropriate treatment and services to correct the assessed problem or to attain the highest practicable mental and psychosocial well-being.
Key components of compliance include:
- Provide services and individualized care approaches that address the assessed needs of the resident.
- Develop an individualized care plan that addresses the emotional and psychosocial needs of the resident.
- Monitor and provide ongoing assessment as to whether the care approaches are meeting the emotional and psychosocial needs of the resident.
Source:CMS Appendix PP State Operations Manual, Pg. 515
What Can You Do TODAY?
- Assess residents upon admission and during regular care plan reviews for either a history of or current mental illness or SUD.
- Ensure that the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT), including the resident and the resident’s family and/or representative (where applicable), are involved in the development and implementation of clinically appropriate and person-centered care plans.
- Recognize that a facility must provide behavioral health services for residents, including treatment for mental illnesses and SUDs. This can include:
- Medication assisted treatment (MAT)
- Connection to support groups such as Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous
- Working with resident and family to address goals related to their stay in the nursing facility
- Collaborating with and accessing community behavioral health providers
- Increased monitoring and supervision as needed for residents with mental illnesses and SUDs
- Implement age-appropriate recovery approaches for younger adults in your facility. Many younger adults may be uncomfortable in mixed age-group therapy sessions and may benefit from approaches that consider generational differences.
The COE-NF is available to support your facility in any of these guidance areas. Contact the COE-NF today:
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COE-NF Resources for Nursing Facilities
The COE-NF developed the following resources related to substance use screening and recovery. Nursing facilities can use these resources to educate the team about recovery opportunities for residents and how to implement substance use screening programs.
Guide for Substance Use Screening in Nursing Facilities
This resource provides information about why a substance use screening program is necessary within a nursing facility. Additionally, if offers insight into how to implement a screening program and when to screen residents. The last page of the guide provides links to downloadable substance use screening tools for easy implementation within your facility.
This resource provides information about why a substance use screening program is necessary within a nursing facility. Additionally, if offers insight into how to implement a screening program and when to screen residents. The last page of the guide provides links to downloadable substance use screening tools for easy implementation within your facility.
4 Ways Nursing Facilities Can Promote Substance Use Recovery
This one-page resource spotlights four opportunities to promote substance use recovery within your nursing facility. The admission rate of residents with SUDs is increasing, therefore it is important to provide residents with a safe space for their recovery.
This one-page resource spotlights four opportunities to promote substance use recovery within your nursing facility. The admission rate of residents with SUDs is increasing, therefore it is important to provide residents with a safe space for their recovery.
Creating a Healthier Life: A Step-By-Step Guide to Wellness
A component of SAMHSA's wellness initiative, this handbook defines wellness and presents the eight dimensions of wellness: social, environmental, physical, emotional, spiritual, occupational, intellectual, and financial. It also offers tips for improving oneself in each dimension. Use these eight dimensions to help nursing facility residents find balance.
A component of SAMHSA's wellness initiative, this handbook defines wellness and presents the eight dimensions of wellness: social, environmental, physical, emotional, spiritual, occupational, intellectual, and financial. It also offers tips for improving oneself in each dimension. Use these eight dimensions to help nursing facility residents find balance.
The Eight Dimensions of Wellness Poster
Through its Wellness Initiative, SAMHSA encourages individuals, organizations, and communities to work toward longer, healthier, and happier lives, particularly among people living with behavioral health conditions. Download the Eight Dimensions of Wellness poster and put it on display for residents to take into account not only an individual’s physical health, but all the factors that contribute to a person’s overall wellness.
Through its Wellness Initiative, SAMHSA encourages individuals, organizations, and communities to work toward longer, healthier, and happier lives, particularly among people living with behavioral health conditions. Download the Eight Dimensions of Wellness poster and put it on display for residents to take into account not only an individual’s physical health, but all the factors that contribute to a person’s overall wellness.
Interested in accessing additional COE-NF resources for your facility?
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Recovery highlights: A 2021 SAMHSA survey found that 7 in 10 adults who ever had a substance use problem considered themselves to be recovering or in recovery.
Due to this prevalence, your facility is likely to have residents that identify as recovering or in recovery from an SUD. Consider working with your team to determine how your facility is supporting these individuals.
Source:https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/20230104/samhsa-announces-nsduh-results-detailing-mental-illness-substance-use-levels-2021#:~:text=7%20in%2010%20(72.2%20percent,be%20recovering%20or%20in%20recovery
Due to this prevalence, your facility is likely to have residents that identify as recovering or in recovery from an SUD. Consider working with your team to determine how your facility is supporting these individuals.
Source:https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/20230104/samhsa-announces-nsduh-results-detailing-mental-illness-substance-use-levels-2021#:~:text=7%20in%2010%20(72.2%20percent,be%20recovering%20or%20in%20recovery
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Register for the September COE-NF Training Sessions
Thursday, September 14, 2023
10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST
10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. EST
Duration: 90 minutes
The Columbia Protocol, also known as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), supports suicide risk assessment through a series of simple, plain-language questions that anyone can ask. The answers help users identify whether someone is at risk for suicide, assess the severity and immediacy of that risk, and gauge the level of support that the person needs.
Users of the tool ask people:
The Columbia Protocol, also known as the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), supports suicide risk assessment through a series of simple, plain-language questions that anyone can ask. The answers help users identify whether someone is at risk for suicide, assess the severity and immediacy of that risk, and gauge the level of support that the person needs.
Users of the tool ask people:
- Whether and when they have thought about suicide (ideation)
- What actions they have taken — and when — to prepare for suicide
- Whether and when they attempted suicide or began a suicide attempt that was either interrupted by another person or stopped of their own volition
Thursday, September 14, 2023
2 - 3 p.m. EST
Duration: 60 minutes
In honor of National Recovery Month, attend this live virtual session to gain information how addiction occurs and learn strategies for meeting the needs of residents with a substance use disorder in a nursing facility. Participants will have an opportunity to hear real-life experiences from a panel of individuals who will share their recovery journey.
Learning Objectives:
In honor of National Recovery Month, attend this live virtual session to gain information how addiction occurs and learn strategies for meeting the needs of residents with a substance use disorder in a nursing facility. Participants will have an opportunity to hear real-life experiences from a panel of individuals who will share their recovery journey.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the science of addiction.
- Explore the complex needs of nursing home residents with substance use disorders (SUD).
- Learn strategies that nursing facility staff can use in working with residents with a SUD.
- Learn from the stories of individuals with lived experiences in long-term recovery.
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
2 - 2:30 p.m. EST
Duration: 30 minutes
This interactive virtual training will review the importance of person-centered care, offer practical tools to identify and mitigate the impact of implicit bias around mental health, address substance use disorders and misuse, and inform on how cultural humility improves the staff/resident connection.
Learning Objectives:
This interactive virtual training will review the importance of person-centered care, offer practical tools to identify and mitigate the impact of implicit bias around mental health, address substance use disorders and misuse, and inform on how cultural humility improves the staff/resident connection.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe person-centered care as it relates to nursing facilities.
- Identify how bias induces assumptions that impact communications and rapport building.
- Identify the benefits of an “individualized” approach to resident engagement.
- Learn how person-centered strategies can help residents achieve care plan goals.
Thursday, September 28, 2023
1-1:30 p.m. EST
1-1:30 p.m. EST
Duration: 30 minutes
This training will provide an overview of opioid use disorders (OUD) in nursing facilities, offer valuable insights, explore medication options, and equip nursing facility staff with an understanding of how to manage this complex issue among residents with a diagnosis of OUD.
Learning Objectives:
This training will provide an overview of opioid use disorders (OUD) in nursing facilities, offer valuable insights, explore medication options, and equip nursing facility staff with an understanding of how to manage this complex issue among residents with a diagnosis of OUD.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn the epidemiology of OUD and why there is an increase of resident admissions with this disorder.
- Learn how to assess for opioid cravings/withdrawal and how this differs from a pain assessment.
- Identify medical complications for OUD and conditions most likely seen in post-acute and long-term care settings.
- Identify concepts in treatment for OUD including:
- Medications: buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone
- Behavioral strategies
- Mutual support groups
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You Matter! Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
You work hard every day to ensure that residents are supported in every aspect of their lives and you deserve the same support as well.
EAPs are often offered by employers and can be a helpful resource for supporting not only your physical health, finances, retirement, legal issues, and social challenges, but also any mental health and/or substance use support you might need.
The services offered through an EAP program are confidential.
Source: https://www.samhsa.gov/workplace/employer-resources/provide-support
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Contact us:
For more information, please call 1-844-314-1433 or email coeinfo@allianthealth.org.
To submit a request to inquire about substance use and/or mental health training options for your facility, complete the inquiry form.
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Alliant Health Solutions (AHS) was awarded a three-year cooperative agreement from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in collaboration with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), to create a COE-NF. AHS has over 50 years of experience working with nursing homes and behavioral health in nursing homes.
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This newsletter was made possible by grant number 1H79SM087155 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
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