| For those who have a family member or close friend | | | | illness. |
| with a chronic mental illness, life can be filled with | | | | Nursing Homes: Because those who are mentally ill |
| challenges. Chronic mental illness takes its toll on | | | | sometimes are in need of long-term medical care, |
| families, who often don't have the training or | | | | there are times when a nursing home might be |
| emotional resources to adequately care for their | | | | necessary or appropriate. However, many nursing |
| loved ones. It's difficult to navigate the waters of the | | | | homes aren't equipped to adequately address mental |
| legal and mental health care systems, and doubly | | | | health care issues. When selecting a nursing home for |
| difficult to find a good home for a loved one with a | | | | a loved one, ensure that it specializes in serving those |
| mental illness who can't live on his or her own. | | | | with chronic mental illness. |
| Despite a family's dedication and willingness to do | | | | Residential Care Facilities: Most people with chronic |
| whatever it takes to ensure that their mother, | | | | mental illness receive the appropriate level of care in |
| father, brother, or sister receives the care he or she | | | | residential care facilities. Typically, they provide |
| needs, it's not always clear what housing and care | | | | 24-hour staffing, room and board, and assistance |
| options are available or suitable. Here, then, is a | | | | with medications and scheduling mental health care |
| review of six of the most common types of housing | | | | appointments. These kinds of facilities are generally |
| and care available for those with a chronic mental | | | | not locked. |