Home and online care
Home Visit Psychiatry in Kathmandu: When a Psychiatrist Can See You at Home
Some people cannot easily reach a clinic: an older parent with memory problems, someone too anxious or low to leave the house, a person recovering from illness. For them, a psychiatrist who comes to the home can be the difference between getting help and going without. This guide explains how home visit psychiatry works in Kathmandu and how to arrange it.
Key takeaways
- A home visit brings the psychiatrist to you when travelling to a clinic is hard, tiring or frightening.
- It can help older adults, people with severe anxiety or depression who cannot leave home, people with limited mobility, and families who want assessment in familiar surroundings.
- A home visit is not an emergency service. In a crisis call 100, 102 or 1166 and go to an emergency department.
- Home visits are arranged by phone or WhatsApp. Availability, area, timing and the fee are confirmed when you book.
What is home visit psychiatry?
In a home visit, a psychiatrist comes to where the patient lives instead of the patient coming to the clinic. The doctor talks with the patient and, with permission, the family, observes how the person is coping in their own surroundings, reviews medicines, explains what may be going on, and agrees a plan. Follow-up can then continue by phone, by video or at the clinic.
It is the same careful assessment as a clinic visit, in a place where the person may feel calmer and safer.
Who a home visit can help
- Older adults with memory problems, dementia, low mood or frailty, for whom a journey is tiring or confusing.
- People with severe anxiety, panic or depression who find it very hard to leave the house.
- People with limited mobility or serious physical illness, or those recovering from surgery or a stroke.
- New mothers with low mood or anxiety who cannot easily travel with a newborn.
- Families who want the doctor to see the person in their usual environment, or whose relative is willing to talk at home but not to visit a clinic.
What happens during a home visit
- You call or message us. Tell us briefly who needs help, the main concern, how urgent it feels, and the address.
- We confirm the details. Availability, timing, the area we can reach and the fee are agreed before anyone travels.
- The doctor visits. The visit is a private conversation in a quiet room, with family present only if the patient wishes. The doctor asks about sleep, mood, worries, health and medicines, and observes how the person is doing.
- You leave with a plan. The doctor explains what may be happening and what can help, such as counselling, medicine, or both, and arranges follow-up. If tests are needed, such as blood tests or scans, they are arranged separately.
Home visit, video consultation or clinic: which is best?
| Option | Best for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Clinic visit | Most first assessments, complex or severe symptoms, and when tests or a fuller setting are needed | Needs travel and time |
| Video consultation | Follow-ups, many first assessments, people far away or abroad, and speaking privately from a place where you feel safe | Needs a private space and a reliable connection; not for a crisis |
| Home visit | People who cannot travel, or who are too unwell, frail or anxious to leave home | Arranged in advance; area, timing and fee confirmed at booking; not an emergency service |
If you are not sure, tell us the situation and we will suggest the option that fits. Our video consultation is available from all three of our doctors.
How to prepare for the visit
- Choose a quiet, private room where the person can talk freely.
- Keep medicines, prescriptions and reports together, or a list of what is being taken.
- Have a family member who knows the history present, if the patient is comfortable with that.
- Write down changes in sleep, appetite, mood, memory or behaviour, and when they began.
- Explain the visit gently beforehand, for example as a talk about sleep, stress and health, so the person is not taken by surprise.
Safety and limits
A home visit is not an emergency service. If someone is in danger, has harmed themselves, is severely confused, or is a risk to others, call Nepal Police 100, an ambulance 102 or the helpline 1166, and take them to an emergency department. After an assessment at home, the doctor may advise a clinic visit or hospital care if that is safer or needed for tests or treatment.
Medicines and follow-up
Where it is clinically appropriate, the doctor can prescribe medicine after a home visit, just as after a clinic visit, and explains what it is for, how long it takes to work and what side effects to watch for. Follow-up can be by phone, by video or at the clinic, and the plan is reviewed regularly.
Privacy at home
Home visits are as confidential as clinic visits. Adults decide who is present, and nothing is shared with family, employers or others without the patient's permission, except in the rare case of serious risk. If the household is busy, choose a room where you will not be overheard.
How to arrange a home visit
Call or message us on WhatsApp, tell us who needs help and the address, and we will explain what is possible, including timing, area and the fee, before you decide. You can also reach us from the contact section. For someone who can travel, our clinics at People's Plaza and Kalanki, or a video consultation, may be simpler.
Frequently asked questions
Do you offer home visits for psychiatry in Kathmandu?
Yes, on request. Home visits suit people who cannot easily travel, such as older adults or people too unwell or anxious to leave home. Call or message us to ask about availability, the area, the timing and the fee for your address.
Is a home visit as good as a clinic visit?
For many people, yes: the assessment is the same careful conversation, often in a more comfortable setting. Some situations are better handled at a clinic or hospital, for example when tests are needed, and the doctor will advise you.
What if my family member refuses to see a doctor?
Stay calm and avoid forcing them. Explain the visit as a talk about sleep, stress and health, and let them know they will not be judged. If they are unsafe or cannot look after themselves, call emergency services.
Can medicine be prescribed after a home visit?
Yes, where it is clinically appropriate. The doctor explains the purpose, side effects and how long it may take to work, and follow-up is arranged.
This guide is general information and does not replace advice from a doctor. If you are worried about your health or someone's safety, seek medical help.
In an emergency: Nepal Police 100 · Ambulance 102 · Suicide prevention helpline 1166. Outside Nepal, call your local emergency number.