Reimagining Psychiatric Care: How Wearable Technology Is Transforming Mental Health Treatment

Home-based hospital care is being adapted to provide psychiatric care for patients who have been deemed stable enough for home monitoring. (Credit: Matthieu/AdobeStock)

For many psychiatric patients, the traditional hospital setting can feel isolating and, at times, even stigmatizing. The high costs, limited access to care, and the disruption of being away from home often make inpatient treatment feel like a last resort.

Home-based hospital care — an alternative to traditional inpatient treatment — has garnered attention for treating acute cardiac and respiratory cases. Now, the model is being adapted to provide psychiatric care for patients who have been deemed stable enough for home monitoring. At-home care helps create a sense of stability for patients while reducing the financial and emotional toll of extended hospital stays.

But with the extension of inpatient care into the home, the success of such programs depends on effective monitoring and timely interventions. Wearable technology provides continuous monitoring and alerts care teams to potential issues before they escalate. Whether it’s spotting early signs of stress or responding to a crisis in real time, the devices give care teams the tools to monitor patients, ensure their safety, and improve their overall experience.

The Psychiatric HaH Model

Adapting hospital care at home for psychiatric care requires shifting from the traditional inpatient approach to one that addresses the complexities of mental health. Unlike other specialties that focus primarily on physical health, psychiatric care demands a more holistic and patient-centered strategy.

For many individuals, hospitalization for mental health issues can be distressing, and the stigma often associated with it can delay recovery. Some countries have effectively shown that mental health care can be delivered in the home setting. For example, programs in Australia deliver psychiatric care at home through teams of psychiatrists, nurses, and therapists, combining in-person visits with virtual check-ins to ensure patients can access care without the stress of a hospital environment.¹

While the adoption of home-based hospital care in the U.S. has been slower, the pandemic accelerated its growth, spurred by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Acute Hospital Care at Home (AHCAH) initiative launched in 2020.² Since then, over 370 U.S. hospitals have either implemented or planned to roll out HaH programs.³

Initially set to expire at the end of 2024, Congress has temporarily extended the AHCAH waiver through March 2025. As research continues to highlight the model’s success and benefits, including its expansion into specialties like psychiatric care, advocacy for further extensions is likely to grow. While AHCAH focuses on acute care, the broader concept of delivering psychiatric care at home is gaining traction globally.⁴

The Role of Wearables in At-Home Psychiatric Care

For psychiatric patients, at-home care depends on care teams being able to continuously monitor and understand their condition. Wearables help by tracking key physiological markers like heart rate, sleep patterns, and activity levels. These metrics give care teams important insights into a patient’s health and emotional state. For example, changes in heart rate variability or disrupted sleep might point to early signs of stress or anxiety.

Over the last few years, providers have adapted therapy and counseling to telehealth, making mental health services more accessible from home. Wearable technology enhances this by giving healthcare teams real-time data to better assess patients, track symptoms, and respond quickly when needed. Continuous monitoring of these vitals allows care teams to detect changes early and intervene before issues escalate.

Care in familiar home settings also significantly lowers the risk of hospital delirium — a serious issue particularly affecting older adults. ⁵ This benefit extends to psychiatric patients, who may already feel vulnerable. Home-based hospital care helps reduce the stress and disorientation of hospital stays, creating a more supportive environment that promotes mental health recovery.

Vivalink’s starter program equips providers with the complete set of tools to begin remote patient monitoring for Hospital-at-Home care. (Credit: Vivalink)

At-home hospital care has also proven effective in reducing the frequency and duration of hospital stays, while addressing both the clinical and emotional needs of patients. ¹ A Vivalink survey found that 84 percent of U.S. patients participating in hospital care at home programs reported a positive experience, with 56 percent rating it as “very positive” and 28 percent as “positive.” ⁶ In psychiatric care, where patient satisfaction plays a key role, these findings emphasize the potential of home-based care models to offer a comfortable and effective alternative for mental health treatment.

Responding in Real-Time

Wearable technology capable of sending real-time alerts is essential in psychiatric care, but its true value lies in the ability to customize these alerts for hospital staff. Tailored notifications, based on specific physiological data or behavioral changes, make it easier for care teams to recognize signs of distress or deterioration without having to learn a new system. For patients in remote areas, this technology is especially beneficial, as it ensures timely intervention and overcomes barriers to accessing immediate care.

Wearables also provide valuable behavioral data beyond just physical health metrics. They offer insights into daily routines, movement patterns, and activity levels — key indicators of mental health. Subtle changes, such as reduced activity and disrupted sleep can signal shifts in mood or emerging symptoms. These patterns help care teams track progress and determine when adjustments to treatment plans are needed.

A centralized clinician dashboard is essential for managing psychiatric care at home, consolidating real-time patient data in one accessible location. This system helps care teams stay coordinated, but its effectiveness relies on clear communication and well-defined responsibilities. Without these, the continuity of care — especially in urgent situations — can be compromised. The dashboard must provide real-time updates on patient conditions, tasks, and alerts, ensuring that teams remain aligned and responsive, even during shift changes.

The success of home-based treatment (HBT) services in New Zealand further illustrates the potential of non-acute hospital care at home models in mental health care, particularly in regions with limited hospital access. ⁷ In the early 2000s, the Capital and Coast District Health Board introduced a 24-hour HBT service, working alongside community mental health teams to provide short-term care at home. In its first year, the service helped reduce hospital admissions, with only 11 percent of patients needing inpatient care.

Transforming Psychiatric Care

Wearable technology is transforming psychiatric care at home by offering real-time insights that help care teams make informed decisions faster. With constant monitoring, these devices help identify early signs of distress or deterioration, enabling timely interventions that can prevent hospitalizations and promote better patient outcomes.

By improving communication and streamlining care between care teams and patients, wearables create a care experience that feels more responsive and supportive. As at-home care models continue to expand, wearables are proving indispensable in delivering care that addresses both the clinical complexities and the unique emotional needs of patients.