The researcher visited Lifetime Adult Care in Ontario as part of the activities for this course and compiled a report about the institution. Lifetime Adult Care is an organization that offers outpatient care for patients who are mentally ill. The researcher was keen to analyze the setting of the place without getting involved in any of the activities concerning care for the patients. The researcher also observed the dress code rules and avoided places that were secluded. The focus was to gather a detailed report about this place and how effective and efficient it is in offering its services to patients.
In this institution, there were about 60 patients who would come for care in the daytime and go back home in the evening. As was mentioned before, the patients served in this institution are mentally retarded. The facility is relatively big, with fields where the patients can play different games. The facility can easily be accessed using two roads. Within the compound are three buildings. The building hosting the patients is the biggest, with the other buildings acting as offices for the sponsors and other staff members. The facility is generally clean, with all the vegetation maintained, creating a very serene environment. The pathways leading to the facility are well maintained to eliminate any objects that may endanger the patients while in the facility.
The facility offers care for the patients when their relatives are at home. According to Wilkin (2009), it is not advisable to leave a mentally ill person in the house without the care of an adult. This is because they do not think rationally and can cause harm to themselves or damage to the items in the house. They are brought to this facility- not to get medical attention- but for professional nursing care during the day. The facility acts as outpatient care for these patients from morning till evening. This facility has impacted positively the social lives of the patients and their families. To the patients, this place offers the opportunity to play, and to express themselves without any form of intimidation. The presence of others suffering a similar complication makes their condition appear normal for the entire time they spent here. They also get professional nursing care for those who need special attention. This helps in ensuring that they are safe from any form of harm (Penny, 2006). To the parents, this facility takes care of their worries when they are at work. The facility takes over care for their patients when they leave for jobs, and ensures that they reunite with other family members in the evening when the entire family can offer them care.
The management of this facility has been keen to improve communication between this institution and the general public or relevant agencies. The management has been using the mass media to reach out to the public and inform them of its presence and what it offers. It uses official communication such as letters and phone calls to reach out to the relevant agencies. Social media has also been of great importance in enhancing communication with the public. Although the programs offered in this facility such as dancing, bingo, and Cherokee games make the patients excited and happy, the researcher would recommend psychological therapy to elevate the mental capacity of the patients.
References
Penny, R. (2006). Practical care of the mentally retarded and mentally ill. Springfield: Thomas.
Wilkin, D. (2009). Caring for the mentally handicapped child. London: Croom Helm.