“Abbott House has implemented evidence-based practices in all of its programs that aid in providing quality care and positive results for the residents”
Description of Services and Delivery
A team of professionals, the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT), work with the residents to help them focus on their goals and build upon their strengths. Our facility will provide individual and group services, healthcare, medication management, life skills training and therapeutic activities. Upon admission, residents have differing ideas of what they would like to accomplish during their stay and how long they envision residing in the facility. The residents are encouraged to choose which groups and activities they attend, while many seek out support in programming selection from their (Q)MHP. Staff are expected to “meet the residents where they are" by prioritizing the residents’ self-determination and desire for autonomy, while using evidence-based practices (EBPs), such as Motivational Interviewing, to elicit positive change and treatment engagement. Staff receive training in EBPs such as Trauma-Informed Care, Mental Health, First Aid, Motivational Interviewing, etc., to ensure service recommendations best serve the residents. Abbott House LLC prioritizes the use of person-centered care because mental health treatments are not “one size fits all” approach. Residents have diverse needs due to their various goals, backgrounds, cultures, traumas, experiences, beliefs, symptoms, behaviors, etc. Person-centered care includes being mindful of assigning specific staff members to a resident, considering whether a group/activity may benefit a specific resident prior to making recommendations, performing thorough assessments prior to determining specific interventions, etc. All services are resident-driven, meaning residents are encouraged to express their needs freely to accept or decline service recommendations or treatments. This diversity is one of the many strengths of Abbott House LLC and is the rationale that drives staff to provide person-centered care to all residents.
Therapeutic & Skills Training Groups
Our person-centered approach will help you help yourself to achieve your individual goals. Residents actively participate in creating their individualized treatment plan which will assist individual in setting appropriate, attainable goals. The following descriptions are some of the therapeutic programs that are part of the rehabilitative groups offered at Abbott House.
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Are designed to help the resident identify behaviors, apply redirection, and raise awareness about healthier options, making changes to reduce the unhealthy behaviors and offering positive reinforcement.
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Using and modifying materials from the Honest, Open, Proud Program to discuss ways in which residents may choose to disclose their mental health status, under what circumstances it is safe/appropriate to do so, and how to navigate the responses of others. The hope of facilitating this group is to help residents find strength, support, and counseling on how to overcome stigma associated with mental illness.
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This group focuses on skills focused on during Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. The group incorporates materials from DBT’s creator, Marsha Linehan. The facilitator focuses on topics such as Interpersonal Effectiveness, Distress Tolerance, Mindfulness, and other key components of DBT. Participants can maintain a diary card and meet with facilitator individually in addition to, or during the weekly groups.
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A support group designed for residents to voice emotional difficulties through group discussions and projects and serve as a support system for one another.
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An open group that discusses topics related to overall health and wellness. Mindfulness practices and relaxation techniques are taught and practiced in a supported setting, and participants are encouraged to incorporate these practices in their daily lives.
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This group is designed to empower residents on their unique journey of recovery. Topics include, but are not limited to, overcoming stigma, finding supportive relationships and meaningful activities, etc.
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Evidenced-based programs that are designed to help residents improve their overall level of functioning when used as an adjunct to other treatment modalities, including modules in the Teams Solutions for Wellness developed by Eli Lilly and Company. Additional skills training modules based on the Social and Independent Living Skills Program and UCLA Clinical Research Center for Schizophrenia and Psychiatric Rehabilitation are incorporated into group offerings.
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This weekly support group provides a safe place to share experiences, hear contributions and feedback, and to be able to share struggles and successes in a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental place with others who have had similar experiences with nicotine or tobacco. Participants are educated about cessation aids and are encouraged to work through their smoking triggers and temptations.
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Incorporates SAMHSA’s (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Eight Dimensions of Wellness in an encouraging atmosphere to support an individual’s sense of well-being.
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This group meets twice weekly to assist residents in resume building, successful completion/submission of job applications, to work on developing and improving job interview skills, how to find meaningful employment, and how to succeed when in the workforce.
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Adult Intensive Outpatient Programs are operated by Chicago Behavioral Health Hospital (CBH) and Lake Behavioral Health Hospital (LBH), Monday through Friday, 9:00AM to 12:00 PM. This program is available to residents who are seeking additional help in overcoming their mental health disorders in a constructive and supportive environment. Residents are expected to attend the program three to five days per week. Programs will include group therapy topics such as: Coping Skills, Emotional Regulation, Healthy Behaviors, Medications, and Relationship Issues. Abbott House, LLC will send referrals to CBH/LBH for any of our residents who are interested in participating. Evaluations are conducted through CBH/LBH, and if their team members determine our residents may have medical concerns upon initial evaluation, they will seek medical clearance through the ER.
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Residents may choose to see one of the psychologists contracted with the facility up to twice weekly. Residents may find it useful to use these sessions to process their emotions and experiences, to reframe distorted thinking, to unpack trauma, etc. Residents may request to see a psychologist or their (Q)MHP may refer the resident to these individual services based on their findings while working with the resident.
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Should the resident (or resident representative, if applicable) express interest in transitioning to a less restrictive environment, the (Q)MHP will provide referrals for community agencies that assist the residents with obtaining housing and resources to prepare for a successful transition into the community, or a less restrictive environment. Representatives from Maximus will routinely come to the facility and offer all residents the opportunity to be assessed for independent living arrangements at some point. Should a resident agree to be assessed and are approved, they will be connected to a Maximus, who will assist in locating housing, community mental health treatment, and other elements of a successful transition to a less restrictive environment. Although the IDT can make recommendations regarding treatment and housing options, each resident be assessed by Maximus. Maximus will follow their own criteria in determining whether a resident will be accepted into their program. Maximus may make treatment recommendations based on their findings for those who are not accepted to their program. Alternatively, when a resident requires more care than Abbott House can provide, the IDT will discuss options with the resident (and their representative, if applicable). For example, if a resident is experiencing a decline in physical health and requires services only available in skilled nursing care, the IDT would work to find appropriate options for transferring care to an appropriate setting. This is likely to occur after major surgeries, because of wound care needs, or if a resident requires specialized care to manage swallowing difficulties, etc. Whenever a resident transitions or transfers to a less restrictive environment or a different facility, the facility tries to plan to the extent possible. Once the resident no longer resides at Abbott House, staff will consider this a discharge and document these outcomes accordingly.
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After the initial physical and psychiatric examination, residents will usually see members of their health/medical team monthly. Residents may elect to have their personal physician and/or psychiatrist continue to care for them while a resident at Abbott House, LLC. If residents do not have a personal physician or psychiatrist, one will be assigned to them upon admission to the facility. Should a resident become dissatisfied at any time with their doctor’s services, another physician or psychiatrist may be selected by notifying their (Q)MHP or a nurse. In addition to offering services by a primary care physician (PCP) and psychiatrist, dentists, podiatrists, and optometrists are also available as needed. All routine medical issues (e.g., pap smears, mammograms, influenza, pneumonia, and COVID-19 vaccines) will be completed and/or scheduled by our nursing staff.
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The treating psychiatrist and the floor nurse will evaluate residents for self-administration of medication within three (3) months after admission, and then at least annually; after the resident completes self-medication training. This program is designed for residents to gain independence while still benefiting from the safety net provided by the facility. The program helps residents learn the vital skills required for medication compliance and efficacy.
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Our peer support program features a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) who brings valuable lived experiences to their role. These dedicated professionals utilize their personal journeys of recovery to inspire hope, provide encouragement, and serve as compassionate guides for residents navigating their own paths to wellness. The goal of our peer support services is to empower the residents, enhance engagement in treatment, regain their independence and successfully transition back into the community.
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Our Recreation and Leisure Activities program is a balance of social, cognitive, spiritual, sensory and physical activities. Recreation and Leisure Services are offered daily to help promote socialization and interaction amongst peers. Examples include daily supervised walking groups, women’s/men’s groups, cooking class, afternoon tea, bingo, relaxation, parties, open creativity, karaoke, chair exercise, etc. Community-based outings are offered every month and shopping outings are scheduled weekly.
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Volunteer opportunities are available in the facility as well as in the community. Residents who wish to be involved should notify their (Q)MHP. The (Q)MHP will work with the resident to develop a volunteer position within the facility (e.g. flag duty, resident activity leader, etc.). Upon documentation of completion of volunteer duties, residents may receive a monetary reward as set forth in advance by the IDT and the Executive Director. Residents who wish to apply for jobs or volunteer positions in the community should discuss this with their (Q)MHP. The (Q)MHP will assist them in the application process, resume development, practice interview skills, etc. Residents who wish to work or volunteer in the community will also be referred to Work Skills groups offered by the facility, as appropriate.
“Abbott House embraces a person-centered approach in all aspects of operations, ensuring that each resident’s unique needs and preferences are respected and met. ”