[Sheltered living and sheltered work for psychiatric patients in an urban region (Zurich, Switzerland) - experiences and trends (author's transl)].

Living conditions have a major impact on the course of illness and treatment in psychiatric patients. Sheltered living and sheltered work are indispensable complements to therapy, if they meet the patients needs. A network of multiple and different facilities, as realized in the region of Zurich, seems best to answer the individual problems of the patients. Experiences regarding staff, the selection of patients, problems of dysfunctional developments and possible counterbalances are discussed. The latest trends regard close cooperation with patients' families, preference for small units and care for flexibility of institutions.