Wilson Care - Testimonials
Resident Assessment
Otis Thomas is a 53 year old man who has been suffering from Major Depressive Disorder with Psychotic Features as
well as Polysubstance Abuse for many years.
Personalized Treatment and Therapy Plan
Otis participates in several psychiatric rehabilitation groups each day, including Depression Management, Stress Management, Goal Setting and Discharge Planning. Otis also meets with his case manager both individually and with his wife. Otis is medication compliant and works with the staff to understand the symptoms of his mental illness and the importance of abstaining from any and all substance abuse.
Results
Otis has been able to successfully maintain himself outside of a psychiatric hospital setting since his admission to Wilson Care in June, 2010, nearly 2 years ago! Otis met his wife, Migdalia, at Wilson Care and was married in January, 2012. Otis and his wife, supported by the staff at Wilson Care, are currently working with Thresholds, and they are pursuing discharge planning to move to their own apartment with supervision.
Resident History and Feedback
Otis remembers that he began to isolate himself when he was in his early 20’s. Like many others who go undiagnosed for too long, he didn’t know why he felt that way – he just did. Otis self-medicated with alcohol and drugs to deal with his feelings. He abandoned his children and traveled from state to state, finally realizing “no matter what part of the country you are in – your problems follow you.” In 2003 Otis came back to Illinois. After being encouraged by his 
daughter, he started attending AA groups. During those groups Otis discussed his feelings of depression and someone recommended that he go see a psychiatrist. He did and was diagnosed with a mental illness and started taking medication. In 2010 Otis decided to stop his medication because he didn’t feel he needed it. A long-time friend died from a drug overdose around the same time, and Otis blamed himself. He became depressed and suicidal and was hospitalized.
Otis was admitted to Wilson Care in June, 2010, and that was his first step towards a new, stable and healthy life. “I needed someone to administer my meds (to remind me that I do need them). I needed a roof over my head. I needed food. But most importantly, I needed groups and meetings to go to, where I could learn about my disorders. That’s the key; knowing and understanding. Once you understand and become aware, everything falls into place. Some of the people here (at Wilson Care) have the same problems that I do. It’s kind of like a fraternity. I had people that I could talk with that I could relate to; I finally wasn’t alone. The groups are excellent, the case managers really put their fingers right on the pulse of the problem. I owe a lot to them. I am in a great place.”
In Summary...
Wilson Care treats chronically, mentally ill adults of all ages requiring psychiatric rehabilitation services in a residential setting. The Psychiatric Rehabilitation program at Wilson Care focuses on working with residents to develop skills necessary to overcome mental health challenges. We also strive to help individuals to better manage their mental illness and behavioral problems. The program assists residents in developing healthier behaviors in a holistic environment.
Wilson Care is dedicated to a comprehensive approach in providing rehabilitative services to our residents. We strive to provide stabilization, skill enhancement, medication management, substance abuse treatment, independent living and vocational skills. We also work with residents to foster a sense of self-efficacy and confidence to augment their rehabilitative process both within the facility and living independently. The development of positive behaviors, life skills and meaningful activity in a healthy environment that re-establishes self-esteem and, thus, assists with stabilization of illness and reintegration into the community is our goal.
Resident Assessment
Regina Williams is a 55 year old woman who has been living with Schizoaffective Disorder for many years.
Personalized Treatment and Therapy Plan
Regina participates in several psychiatric rehabilitation groups each day, including Medication Management, Anger Management, Discharge Planning, Interpersonal Relations, Self Esteem and Vocational Skills Training. Regina meets with her case manager individually. Regina is medication compliant and now participates in the self-medication program. She works with the staff to understand the symptoms of her mental illness, to increase her insight and to support her.
Results
Regina has been able to successfully maintain herself outside of a psychiatric hospital setting since her admission to Wilson Care in March, 2010, well over 2 years ago! Regina, supported by the staff at Wilson Care, is currently working with Community Counseling Centers of Chicago, and she is pursuing discharge planning to move to her own apartment with supervision.
Resident History and Feedback
Regina remembers that she started having problems at age 5, but was not officially diagnosed until her early 30’s. She went undiagnosed for years, was experiencing auditory hallucinations, and self-medicated to deal with the voices. Regina comments that “they would subside temporarily, but then come right back.” She was attempting to raise her 2 sons on her own and remembers, “I would have bouts with the voices and I would lock myself in my room, so I wouldn’t harm my children. I was losing my mind and falling apart.”
About 20 years ago, Regina said that “the voices had changed, they became more severe. They directed me to do cruel, evil things.” Rather than do anything to hurt her children, Regina attempted suicide and so was psychiatrically hospitalized for the first time around 1990. She was diagnosed with a mental illness for the first time and started on medication. Over the course of those past 20 years, Regina estimates that she has had 15 psychiatric hospitalizations, attempted suicide 4 times and felt depressed, hopeless and suicidal countless times. She was placed in another psychiatric residential facility about 5 years ago, but said that “they treated us like cattle, it was like an assembly line, there was no compassion”.
Regina finally met a psychiatrist that she learned to trust and work with, who was able to stabilize her medications and “was paramount for turning my life around for the better.” She transferred from her previous residence to Wilson Care in March, 2010 and says “it’s like a palace here!”
Regina says “my case manager is great! She’s very hands on and helps me with every aspect of my life. She even goes over and above to do things that don’t pertain to her job. She’s helped me to learn to use my cell phone and now I’m computer literate. We can talk about everything from A to Z.” When her case manager is off, Regina says, “I have a nice relationship with the other case workers too, I feel very close to them.” Regina loves to be involved, ‘they say the idle mind is the devil’s workshop’ – so I go to quite a few meetings. They call me the group queen.” Regina is very proud that she became the President of the Wilson Care Resident Council in July, 2011. “I try to implement new ideas, and want the other residents to feel comfortable talking to me.” Her major accomplishment as Resident Council President was working with administration to get “the 3rd floor day room to be open up all night long for us.”
Regina’s 2 sons are now grown, healthy men. She is thrilled to have a close and supportive relationship with them and knows they understand about her mental illness. Her family has even come to support her when Wilson Care had a team in the NAMI Walk (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) last fall. She looks forward to the next chapter in her life and enjoying her grandchildren.
In Summary...
Wilson Care treats chronically, mentally ill adults of all ages requiring psychiatric rehabilitation services in a residential setting. The Psychiatric Rehabilitation program at Wilson Care focuses on working with residents to develop skills necessary to overcome mental health challenges. We also strive to help individuals to better manage their mental illness and behavioral problems. The program assists residents in developing healthier behaviors in a holistic environment.
Wilson Care is dedicated to a comprehensive approach in providing rehabilitative services to our residents. We strive to provide stabilization, skill enhancement, medication management, substance abuse treatment, independent living and vocational skills. We also work with residents to foster a sense of self-efficacy and confidence to augment their rehabilitative process both within the facility and living independently. The development of positive behaviors, life skills and meaningful activity in a healthy environment that re-establishes self-esteem and, thus, assists with stabilization of illness and reintegration into the community is our goal.
If you or someone you know can benefit from our services please contact our Admissions Office for additional information at 773-561-7241