Countryside Health Center

In Kansas, the care for the persons with a mental health illness has dramatically changed. State hospitals have been closed and community-based services have been expanded. Despite these positive changes, parents, spouses and friends often find it difficult to obtain care in a protected setting for their loved ones who are severely disabled by their illness. Countryside Health Center in Topeka, KS offers a program which provides stimulation and motivation for growth in an environment that affords the safety and supervision families want. Countryside Health Center, located in Topeka, Kansas, is one of only a few nursing facilities certified to accept adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Countryside works closely with hospitals and mental health centers for referrals and ongoing resident treatment. Case managers are encouraged to continue working with residents while they reside at Countryside. Countryside takes pride in providing an active program for residents who have the potential to be more independent and to live in the community. This program assists residents in their efforts to assume responsibility for their medications, personal hygiene, personal finances, plus learning how to access public transportation and community services and programs. We actively seek opportunities for community participation. Our residents currently use several community-based day programs and participate in a volunteer work site at a local retail store. We strive to provide a maintenance program for those whose mental illness precludes movement to the community. Therapeutic groups are provided to assist with controlling anger and recognizing other emotions, assisting with the development of more effective social skills, and assisting with orientation to the community.