Around-the-clock crisis support for older adults
The Older Peoples Crisis Home Treatment Team (CHTT) are an AIMS-accredited 24 hours a day, 7 days a week service.
There is no separation within the team, with all staff providing both crisis and home treatment interventions. The team are able to provide a range of intensive services, including
- urgent reviews for crisis assessments
- urgent medication reviews
- creative therapies including music
- reminiscence
- art, pet and horticulture therapy
- Indian head massage, Reiki and face massage
- therapy work looking at anxiety management
- sleep hygiene techniques.
The focus of the team is to provide holistic support to service users in their own homes to promote independence and rehabilitation and to provide assessment and treatment following least restrictive principles.
The team also jointly run the Crisis Café — a unique service for service users offering community sessions that aim to promote awareness of mental health management techniques. The team operates a multidisciplinary approach and is made up of:
- Mental health nurses
- Social workers
- Senior support workers
- Advanced Clinical Practitioners
- doctors
The team can also access the services of the Older People's Mental Health Services physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, psychologists and pharmacists for any support needed.
How can I access the Older People's Crisis Home Treatment Team?
Discuss with your GP, care manager, community matron or district nurse about how we can support you.
You can refer a loved one to the Older People's Crisis Home Treatment Team by discussing with a healthcare professional.
The service user’s GP will always be consulted with about the referral.
If you’re in a mental health crisis and need urgent help, call the Single Point of Access on (01472) 256256 and select option 3. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Alternatively, you can call NHS 111 free from a landline or mobile phone.