Paxton house: integrating mental health and diabetes care for people with serious mental illnesses in a residential setting.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This report provides a program description of a supported housing residence for individuals with co-occurring diabetes and serious mental illnesses and preliminary health outcome data. METHODS: Weight, blood glucose levels and satisfaction survey data were collected retrospectively on 13 individuals referred to the program. RESULTS: Results indicate that individuals lost weight and fasting glucose readings fell into the ADA recommended range in the first six months of participation. Overall, consumers participating in the program were satisfied with the diabetes education and monitoring services provided. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE While preliminary results suggest that consumers benefit, this study only begins to address how integrated behavioral health and diabetes-specific programming in residential settings meets the needs of persons with severe mental illnesses and diabetes. A more thorough understanding of the impact of these programs on consumers' health outcomes is needed to inform how to deliver diabetes management curricula and support consumers to improve their overall health.