Half-way services in the rehabilitation of chronic mental patients. A residential programme.

The importance of adequate community facilities in the rehabilitation of chronic mental patients is stressed. In view of the common reluctance of relatives to accept this type of patient back home again, a residential programme was designed to obviate this problem. The rehabilitation unit described, achieved reintegration into the community of 36.1% of the patients through the use of hotels and sheltered accommodation. In all, 58.4% of the patients were discharged. Finally, mention is made of the advantage of the system, especially its economy, availability, and helpful collaboration of landladies.