Transitional Living Program – FAQs
How do I get admitted to the program?
What will be the cost of the program?
Do I have to stay the entire 28 days?
I want to go back to work/school while I’m in the program. Can I?
I am dually-diagnosed. How much time is spent on each problem?
Will I have my own doctor?
I live nearby and want to continue to see my own physician. Can I?
Will family members be involved in the treatment program?
Can I have a car while in the program?
Can I leave the campus for visits with friends and family?
Can I leave the campus for the afternoon?
Is there 24 hour nursing care?
Who will administer my medication?
Can I run everyday?
What are the exercise options? Are exercise facilities available?
Can I bring my laptop or is there a computer I can use to send e-mails?
Can I make business calls?
What are the options regarding food? Can I bring and cook my own?
What is the dress code?
How much clothing should I bring?
Are there laundry facilities?
Can I keep a journal?
Can my children visit?
Can I be sent a care package?
Are AA/NA meetings mandatory?
Can I get individual psychotherapy?
Are there Area Hotels where family members can stay when visiting? Q. How do I get admitted to the program?
A.
Patients can be admitted either directly from home, on the recommendation of their treating therapist, or from the inpatient unit of another hospital. In either case referrals go through our Admissions Department, which you can reach at 866-542-4455. When you call, we will arrange an appointment for a comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment. A patient may be appropriate for direct admission to the Transitional Living Program or may be admitted to one of our inpatient units for the first few days of their stay so that we can determine their readiness for the Transitional Living Program. This clinical decision is always made at the time of the initial assessment and is at the discretion of the clinician making the assessment.
top Q. What will be the cost of the program?
A.
Effective 8/11/08, the basic charge for the Transitional Living programs is $25,000 for 28 days, except for the DBT program which is $26,000 for 28 days. The length of stay for the Transitional Living programs is minimally 28 days for patients transferred from the inpatient units of Silver Hill Hospital but may be longer based on clinical need.
Patients admitted from the community or other facilities to the DBT track are required to spend a minimum of two days in an observation bed on one of our inpatient units prior to transfer to the 28 day DBT Transitional Living Program. The charge is $900 per day in addition to the basic cost of the program.
top Q. Do I have to stay the entire 28 days?
A.
We require an initial commitment from the patient for the first 28 days of treatment. However, completing the program is always voluntary
top Q. I want to go back to work/school while I’m in the program. Can I?
A. Part of the success of our program is the ability to transition back into your work and/or school environment while continuing to reside in a supportive and structured environment. Our program is designed so that if you are in the Substance Use Disorders or Dual Disorders Programs you will be able to continue working once you have entered the fifth week of treatment.
top Q. I am dually-diagnosed. How much time is spent on each problem?
A. Silver Hill Hospital believes that it is important to treat both the substance use disorder and mental illness simultaneously as they are equally important in the overall success of managing your recovery. Our program is "modular" and your treatment team will recommend a weekly treatment schedule that is most appropriate for you.
top Q. Will I have my own doctor?
A. You will be assigned to one of our full-time staff doctors with whom you will meet regularly. He/She will get to know you from the beginning by doing a careful diagnostic assessment. Based on this assessment you and your doctor will develop a treatment plan. If it includes medication your doctor will initiate medication treatment, adjust the dose as needed and assess its effectiveness.
top Q. I live nearby and want to continue to see my own physician. Can I?
A. Your treatment at Silver Hill will be under the direction of our treatment team. With your permission we will contact your doctor and invite him/her to participate in the discussion of your treatment and discharge planning. If you and your treatment team believe that individual psychotherapy is indicated as part of your treatment at Silver Hill and you wish to continue that with your community doctor we will help you to arrange that during your stay here.
top Q. Will family members be involved in the treatment program?
A. We strongly encourage family involvement, although this must be with patient consent by state regulation. You can expect to meet with the team doctor and social worker to discuss such issues as diagnoses, treatment plan and discharge plan. There is also a weekly Family Forum for you and other families, led by one of our licensed clinicians, to help provide you with education and direction.
top Q. Can I have a car while in the program?
A. No. We do not allow residents to have cars. However your treatment team and you can discuss when and if it is appropriate for you to be able to utilize your vehicle. Car keys will be kept in the staff office.
top Q. Can I leave the campus for visits with friends and family?
A. All residents are considered on restriction for their first two (2) weeks in the program. After a resident successfully completes this initial phase of treatment, therapeutic passes may be requested. All passes must be requested in advance, approved by your treatment team
and have a therapeutic purpose.
top Q. Can I leave the campus for the afternoon?
A. Not during program hours. We want you to be able to benefit from our program and if you are not on grounds you will not be able to "reap the rewards" of the program. During non-program hours, therapeutic passes may be allowed after the second week with the approval of your treatment team.
top Q. Is there 24 hour nursing care?
A. A Transitional Living program nurse is part of the clinical staff during the day, each weekday. A Silver Hill supervisory nurse and duty doctors are available at night and on weekends. Unlike inpatient units the individual Transitional Living housing units do not have their own nursing staff.
top Q. Who will administer my medication?
A. You will be responsible for taking your own medications. Resident counselors will be available to observe you in this process and our nursing staff will be able to assist you in learning effective medication management techniques.
top Q. Can I run everyday?
A. We believe that exercise is a vital component in a person’s overall recovery and encourage residents to exercise. However, we are aware that for some people exercising can be a clinical issue and therefore this will be discussed with your treatment team.
top Q. What are the exercise options? Are exercise facilities available?
A. Exercise is incorporated into each program. We have an indoor fitness center, a large gymnasium, and an outdoor tennis court.
top Q. Can I bring my laptop or is there a computer I can use to send e-mails?
A. We do not allow patients to bring their laptops or computers as we know this sometimes can distract a person from treatment. We do have computers available in the Patient and Medical Library if your treatment team determines that you can have access to them.
top Q. Can I make business calls?
A. Not during program hours, and only with the approval of your treatment team. Cell phones are not allowed. We recommend that you bring a list of frequently called numbers with you, as there are telephones available for patient use in each transitional residence.
top Q. What are the options regarding food? Can I bring and cook my own?
A. Silver Hill Hospital provides nutritious, high-quality food in generous portions for 3 meals a day. At Scavetta House and Barrett House we do not provide snack food, e.g., potato chips, cookies, ice cream, cola beverages, etc. and would encourage residents to provide their own. At River House, part of the program is community meal planning and cooking. We are glad to take meal suggestions from residents provided the requests are reasonable and benefit the entire house community.
top Q. What is the dress code?
A. Appropriate clothing is required at all times. Shorts shorter than mid-thigh, bare midriffs, see-through clothing, miniskirts, tank tops, spaghetti string shirts, or any items with inappropriate logos or messages are not permitted. Men are requested not to wear hats indoors. You may be asked to change clothing deemed by staff to be inappropriate. Staff will assess the appropriateness of a patient’s appearance, including makeup, hair and cleanliness. Walking barefoot in the buildings or on hospital grounds is not allowed.
top Q. How much clothing should I bring?
A. Two week’s worth of clothing is sufficient.
top Q. Are there laundry facilities?
A. Yes, each house is equipped with a washer and dryer.
top Q. Can I keep a journal?
A. Yes, and you are encouraged to do so.
top Q. Can my children visit?
A. Yes. Provided they are supervised.
top Q. Can I be sent a care package?
A. Yes. Staff will assist you in opening your care packages.
top Q. Are AA/NA meetings mandatory?
A. If part of your diagnosis is substance dependence, Twelve-Step meetings are mandatory and residents must attend Twelve Step meetings daily.
top Q. Can I get individual psychotherapy?
A. Individual psychotherapy is not part of the core program although individual meetings with doctors, social workers and counselors are routine and regular. Under some circumstances the patient and his/her treatment team may feel that formal individual psychotherapy is indicated. If so we can arrange this privately, at an additional cost.
top Q. Are there Area Hotels where family members can stay when visiting?
A. Roger Sherman Inn: 203-966-4541
Maples Inn: 203-966-2927
Hilton Garden Inn: 203-523-4000
Marriott Courtyard: 203-849-9111
Sheraton Four Points: 203-849-9828
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