Recording and preparing a complete HISTORY OF DECOMPENSATION AND LACK OF INSIGHT
The "historical course" of the patient's mental disorder must be considered when applying the definition of mental disorder. Welf & I C §5008.2.
In simpler terms this means that the patient's history of 5150, welfare checks, and/or hospitalizations should be documented and submitted for consideration.It alone can not be the sole basis for judgement; however, the history carries a great deal of weight when considering whether the patient is stable and able to survive in the community without conservatorship.
Historical course may include, but is not limited to, evidence presented by those who have provided, or are providing, mental health or support services to the patient, or evidence presented by family members or other persons designated by the patient. The court or hearing officer may exclude evidence it considers irrelevant because of the remoteness of time or dissimilarity of circumstances. Welf & I C §5008.2.
When writing up the documents family members and or advocates best bear in mind the number of hospitalizations, when and where, and what symptoms lead to the 5150 or voluntary hospitalization.
It should look something like:
Hospitalization no:
Hospitalization date:
What symptoms was the patient expressing to lead to the hospitalization:
Any evidence of third party assistance and how it failed to keep patient safe:
Med compliance at time (on or off meds):
Make a special note if there have been more than 3 or 4 in the last 365 days:
Patient discharged to where: home, streets, or board and care
Also if discussing hospitalizations make a note that the caregiver will no be willing to take back the patient or provide any more assistance. This is hard to write but is vital to getting LPS conservatorship. [More soon]
The issue of a proposed conservatee's willingness to take medication is significant whenever the court has before it the issue of whether a person is gravely disabled; that is, establishing, terminating, or renewing an LPS conservatorship.
Getting in writing what happens when the patient goes off meds also carries a great deal of weight. A lot of providers will argue that patients are ok once they have been stabilized but the argument must be framed as the patient is stable in the false vacuum of any stressors and with 24/7 care. Without the rigid structure, locked safe milieu, and daily medical supervision, the patient will stop their medication and decompensate. Emphasize that there is no where else that provide such level of structure and care unless it is attached to an LPS conservatorship.
In simpler terms this means that the patient's history of 5150, welfare checks, and/or hospitalizations should be documented and submitted for consideration.It alone can not be the sole basis for judgement; however, the history carries a great deal of weight when considering whether the patient is stable and able to survive in the community without conservatorship.
Historical course may include, but is not limited to, evidence presented by those who have provided, or are providing, mental health or support services to the patient, or evidence presented by family members or other persons designated by the patient. The court or hearing officer may exclude evidence it considers irrelevant because of the remoteness of time or dissimilarity of circumstances. Welf & I C §5008.2.
When writing up the documents family members and or advocates best bear in mind the number of hospitalizations, when and where, and what symptoms lead to the 5150 or voluntary hospitalization.
It should look something like:
Hospitalization no:
Hospitalization date:
What symptoms was the patient expressing to lead to the hospitalization:
Any evidence of third party assistance and how it failed to keep patient safe:
Med compliance at time (on or off meds):
Make a special note if there have been more than 3 or 4 in the last 365 days:
Patient discharged to where: home, streets, or board and care
Also if discussing hospitalizations make a note that the caregiver will no be willing to take back the patient or provide any more assistance. This is hard to write but is vital to getting LPS conservatorship. [More soon]
The issue of a proposed conservatee's willingness to take medication is significant whenever the court has before it the issue of whether a person is gravely disabled; that is, establishing, terminating, or renewing an LPS conservatorship.
Getting in writing what happens when the patient goes off meds also carries a great deal of weight. A lot of providers will argue that patients are ok once they have been stabilized but the argument must be framed as the patient is stable in the false vacuum of any stressors and with 24/7 care. Without the rigid structure, locked safe milieu, and daily medical supervision, the patient will stop their medication and decompensate. Emphasize that there is no where else that provide such level of structure and care unless it is attached to an LPS conservatorship.