Helping patients in the supportive milieu of a community residence program for the chronically mentally ill: conceptual model and initial evaluation.

The Community Residence Program described is sponsored by an urban teaching hospital and supported by state funds. The program uses scatter-site apartments in the community to house 120 patients in a therapeutic milieu as part of their comprehensive aftercare treatment. The program stresses teaching the skills of daily living to patients with chronic, psychiatric illnesses. The conceptual model used is based on challenges and tasks appropriate for this population. Preliminary evaluation findings suggest that the program is successful in teaching patients social skills, helping them adhere to medical regimens, perform household chores and observe fire safety regulations.