Case managers must be skilled at engaging clients who have been reluctant to enter treatment. They assess clients' most urgent needs, which often involve securing housing and public benefits. Case managers also connect clients to needed psychiatric and medical services. Medication is often the most effective intervention for improved functioning. Case managers monitor and encourage medication compliance by working in tandem with psychiatrists, nurses and other specialists.
Hospitalization is sometimes necessary, and it tends to create major disruption in a client's life.
This looming possibility worries many clients. By minimizing the risk for hospitalization, case managers reduce client stress and facilitate an improved quality of life. If hospitalization does become necessary, case managers reduce stress, minimize disruption, and prevent clients from losing housing or belongings. In institutional care, there are costs for the facility and paying off capital investment on the facility, and salary structures tend to be higher. It automatically 'warehouses' people according to their category or disorder.