People who have schizophrenia may get help in a live-in treatment facility if they’re not ready to live on their own. This is a place you stay where you can focus on your mental health through regular, structured care, often for a set amount of time.
You might consider a live-in treatment facility if:
- Outpatient treatments haven’t worked
- You have learning challenges
- You have trouble taking care of your daily activities on your own.
- You need extra support after inpatient psychiatric care
The best facility for you may depend on things such as how long you’ve had schizophrenia and how much support you need.
Check with local community mental health centers to learn more about the options available for you. Government agencies can help too. Social workers or case managers have access to lists of live-in facilities.
Your doctor can help you decide on a facility. Each one is different, with its own feel and set of programs.
Consider how the treatments can support your specific mental health needs. Look at the activities that are available. Find out how much independence the residents have. You might also think about the location. Do you want to be close to family and friends? Or would you be better served by a center that’s farther away, where you can focus entirely on your treatment?
Many live-in treatment facilities accept people with different mental health conditions. Ask about the number of people with schizophrenia who get care. Also find out about staff qualifications and the ratio of staff members to residents.
The cost for live-in treatment facilities varies, based on the type of care and how long you’re there. Health insurance may cover some of it. But at most facilities, you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket.
There are several types of live-in treatment centers, including:
Residential Treatment
This type is best after you finish treatment for an acute episode at a hospital or other facility. You’ll stay an average of 8 to 12 weeks. This may be when you get your symptoms under control. You’ll take a break from work or school. You may take classes to prepare you to get a job or go back to school.
A residential treatment program gives you the skills you need to live on your own. Most follow a structured schedule, with each day broken into hour-long blocks. Your daily activities are based on your personal needs. You can learn to manage everyday tasks and adopt healthy routines. This may include support for sleeping and eating schedules, social skills, and good hygiene. You may also learn how to stick to your medication.
You’ll have one-on-one and group therapy. You can meet with specialists and take part in exercise and relaxation activities. Most programs also offer spiritual support and time for meditation or personal work.
Group Homes
Here, specialists may help you manage living skills, daily tasks, medications, and meals. You might share bathrooms and common areas with other people with schizophrenia or similar conditions.
Sometimes, blocks of apartments are turned into group homes for people with mental illnesses. They may be for only men or women. If they don’t have specialists onsite for support, there is often a 24-hour crisis resource for the residents. Life skills such as job coaching may be available.
There’s no set time for how long you stay in a group home. It can be a long-term or permanent housing solution.
Assisted-Living Facilities
With this type of live-in treatment, you get care for any medical issues you may have, as well as mental health treatment. Specialists assist with tasks like bathing and dressing, if needed. You’ll also get help with meals and managing your medications and behavior. This is usually a permanent option.
