Residential treatment is a new option on the continuum of care in Australia for people with eating disorders, sitting between outpatient support and traditional inpatient treatment. It provides intensive treatment and support in a homelike environment, aiming to fill a critical gap in care.
The evaluation of Australia’s first residential facility for eating disorders, Wandi Nerida, by Sinead Day found that residential care reduced symptoms and outperformed a hospital day programme, with improvements lasting up to six months (Journal of Affective Disorders).1 Participants particularly valued the sense of community, recovery-focused environment, and support from staff with lived experience.
Rebekah Rankin further explored the lived experiences of patients (BJPsych Open),2 parents (Journal of Eating Disorders)3 and staff (under review) associated with the facility through interviews. Collectively, these perspectives highlighted the importance of communication, collaboration, and creating a ‘village’ around recovery.
While not a “magic cure,” residential care plays a vital role in supporting recovery and deserves further investment within a connected continuum of care.
Connect on LinkedIn: Sinead Day, Rebekah Rankin
References:
2‘It takes a village’: Patient lived experiences of residential treatment for an eating disorder
3“Like a rollercoaster”: Carer experiences of residential treatment for eating disorders
