Nueva Vista - Total Health

Monitoring primary health care is an important part of what we do at Nueva Vista. Clients often come to us with significant primary health problems in addition to their mental health issues. Our team performs a complete medical assessment to determine the most critical medical needs for each client.  It is crucial that all clients receive a physical and that all of their medications are evaluated by a primary care physician.  Other referrals to specialists may be made based on the need of each client.

Because Psynergy’s team operates in a clinical setting, the full spectrum of both psychiatric and non-psychiatric medications is available to clients any time they are needed.  The ability to administer injections on-site may help clients in special circumstances become medication compliant without side effects.  Clients with insulin-dependent diabetes or other conditions that require injected medications also benefit.   Our supportive staff can also handle the testing required by drug and alcohol-dependent clients.  At Psynergy Programs, we focus on establishing and sustaining health for the whole person, managing physical health, mental challenges, and lifestyle to improve each client’s life experience.

Monitoring Dental Health
Although necessary for recovery, psychotropic medications typically cause dry mouth, interrupting the salivary flow that is needed for good oral heath.  This causes an increase in plaque retention that can lead to rampant decay and periodontal disease.   We find that a good number of the clients who enter the program have neglected the care of their teeth, and come to us with significant dental problems.  When a tooth is causing pain, it is difficult to focus on the daily requirements of the program.

Psynergy’s on-staff dental hygienist trains patients to care for their teeth with the electric toothbrushes that are furnished in each room.  We also act as a client advocate, ensuring that each patient sees a dentist for an oral evaluation, monitoring a strategy to avoid tooth loss and periodontal disease. The dental hygienist will also speak with dentists and other specialists and often accompanies clients to appointments, especially when there is an anxiety about treatment.  We work with with dental practices that accept Denti Cal to help clients schedule deep root cleanings.  This can save teeth and prevent unnecessary extractions and the need for dentures.

Vision
Soon after arrival, all new clients meet with our resident nurse to talk about any current medical issues. During this preliminary visit all clients are given a basic vision assessment. If is determined that corrective lenses are needed a follow-up visit will be scheduled with a local ophthalmologist.