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When your Veteran is hospitalized
We discuss types of inpatient hospital stays and how to be a support throughout the process.
Types of hospitalizations
Psychiatric hospitalizations generally fall into three categories, although the particular rules and terms around psychiatric differ by state.
Voluntary Hospitalizations are when a person has chosen to enter a hospital for care of their own free will. When this is done, a patient can leave on their own terms as well once they feel ready.
Observation is a short period of time (2-7 days in most states) in which medical and mental health professionals can require a patient to stay in a unit so they can see if they are a threat to themselves or others. When a crisis is time limited, this often gives a period for it to pass.
Involuntary Commitment is when hospital staff, law enforcement, or families have enduring concerns about a patient’s safety to themselves or others and they have petition to have them required to attend treatment.
Understanding the status of your Veteran’s hospitalization can help you advocate alongside them to support both getting the care they need and helping protect their rights. Remember also that their status can change.
HELPFUL TIP: You may not get any warning that your Veteran is about to be discharged.
Things to remember
How involved you can be in treatment depends:
Has your loved one signed a Release of Information (ROI) granting providers permission to communicate with you?
If YES and they’ve signed an ROI…
You can now support the treatment team. Read below to learn more.
If NO and they have not signed an ROI…
It’s normal to feel frustrated or excluded from treatment. Try to stay calm even if you are upset and be patient, as they Veteran may add you to an ROI in the future. In the meantime, even though providers cannot share information with you, they can listen to any information that you provide.
When working with a Veteran’s treatment team, your approach is key
Ask “Who is the best hospital staff member to talk to?”
Be in touch as early as possible in the hospital process.
State your intention to offer support and need for guidance.
Ask about the specific plans for discharge and how you can help
While your Veteran is still in the hospital, ask the providers about their discharge and aftercare plans. Also, ask your Veteran about any hesitations they may have with the discharge recommendations.
Here are some suggestions on dialogue:
“What is your discharge plan? And are you comfortable with it?”
“What might stand in your way of following up with aftercare? How can we get ahead of these potential barriers now?”
Hospitalization is a great time to make things safer at home.
How to support a Veteran after a hospitalization for mental health reasons
This depends on your relationship with the Veteran and what type of conversations you had during the hospital stay or discharge process about your role.
However, you can use the guidelines below to ask periodically about how your Veteran is feeling, about suicidal thoughts, and about ways you can be helpful.
Conversation guidelines
- Remember to pick the right time to have a conversation and do more listening than talking.
- Ask your questions one at a time and wait patiently for an answer.
- Talk to them about expectations—both yours and theirs.
- Ask if you can discuss how they can tell you if suicidal thoughts are becoming unmanageable again.
- Ask how you can support them in using their coping skills and make sure you know who to call if they need help urgently (e.g., within a day or two) or as an emergency (e.g., within minutes to hours).
- REMEMBER: The time after discharge can be a particularly vulnerable time. It does not necessarily signal the end of the crisis.
Ask about how you can support your Veteran in receiving care after discharge.
It is best to approach the issue of outpatient mental health care as team and let your Veteran know that they are in charge of those decisions.
You might try saying:
- “It sounds like you are doing a lot better. It’s up to you to decide what to do, but I’d love to hear what you’re thinking about how to continue to do well?
- What do you think about the appointment set up for you by your doctor (or social worker)? How can I help support you in using those resources?”
- HELPFUL TIP: Worrying about a loved one going through hard times is stressful. One of the best things you can do to be there for your Veteran is to take care of yourself as well.