Anyone know about mental health rehabilitation units?

[TheGander]

My brother was sectioned about 5 weeks ago. They have discharged him to a rehab unit. I feel the best case scenario is this gives him some life skills. He has been living alone since our father’s death, never left the family home but was self neglecting for weeks prior to admission . Just wondering what to expect, I plan to go and visit him next week. Thanks for any insights.

I have not been in one, but know several people who have.
Residents are encouraged to do the basics themselves... stuff like cleaning their room and making their bed. They would also have to prepare their own meals... sometimes they would take in turns making meals for the other people there.

Thanks Xeno. I wonder what kind of therapy he’ll get there. Certainly coaching in life skills would be good ( if he stays the course, I’m worried he’ll walk out). I’m currently decluttering his home which also needs a deep clean … Any others with insight welcome here!

I used to work in a MH hospital that was mainly rehab. (Most of our patients had been in a more secure setting, and moved on from us to supported living)

We expected them to keep their rooms tidy and offered them a brush and mop for the floors. We did have a cleaner though. They did their own Laundry, with support if needed.
They were encouraged to cook for themselves and could have an allowance twice per week to 'shop and cook'

Some of them went to "work" which was a local charity where they packed boxes, counted things for boxes etc. Some of them went to a local "college" where they could learn various skills. We also took them to the main MH hospital for sessions in the art room. Day trips, walks to coffee shops etc. Movie afternoons. My colleague used to run "music quiz nights". We had a fully stocked art cupboard. I taught one patient how to make loom bands. We had a fish tank that they used to be in charge of feeding. A well stocked book Shelf. They mostly had tvs/dvd players etc. The younger ones had games consoles.

It can totally vary depending on the staffing structure and what has been funded. Some mental health rehab units are staffed 24hrs a day, with plenty of staff, some have staff about during the day but just one sleeping staff at night for emergency cover. Some have qualified nursing staff, others have just support workers. Some have psychology input, others not. It's all depends on what someone's needs are following assessment, and then they hopefully find a placement that matches that persons needs. If that makes sense.

Thanks everyone. I’m hoping his stay, if he completes it, will enable him to get stronger mentally and also acquire some life skills, which he never did at home. Especially the home maintenance side of things, his environment has deteriorated terribly, a reflection of his mental struggles but also I think because he doesn’t have the skills to manage simple practical stuff.