The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) have introduced a new resource to help long-term care facilities (LTCFs) better serve residents with opioid use disorder (OUD). The Strategies for Supporting Residents with Opioid Use Disorder in Long-Term Care toolkit provides a roadmap for delivering trauma-informed, recovery-oriented care to individuals with OUD.
The toolkit focuses on equipping LTCFs with best practices for addressing the unique challenges associated with OUD, including stigma reduction, staff training, harm reduction strategies, and partnerships with community-based resources. Healthcentric Advisors, a nationally recognized non-profit healthcare quality improvement consultancy, has been providing education, technical assistance, and project management services to DMHAS and DPH on the development and implementation of the toolkit over the past year.
“This toolkit gives long-term care providers the tools to deliver compassionate, high-quality care to individuals living with OUD. Integration of behavioral health and long-term care will mitigate stigma and improve health outcomes for individuals living with a substance use disorder,” said DMHAS Commissioner Nancy Navarretta.
“With the opioid crisis impacting more individuals living in long-term care facilities, this toolkit delivers essential guidance to ensure facilities are prepared to support their residents living with OUD,” added DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “By prioritizing person-centered care, we can improve outcomes and foster recovery.”
Upcoming Webinar
DMHAS and DPH will host a webinar on January 22, 2025, to provide an overview of the toolkit and practical tips for implementation. Registration is open at this link.
Toolkit Availability
The Strategies for Supporting Residents with Opioid Use Disorder in Long-Term Care toolkit is available for download at this link. For additional resources, visit the DMHAS or DPH websites.