Personal support systems of former mental patients residing in board-and-care facilities

This is a study of the personal support networks of a selected group of formerly hospitalized psychiatric patients now residing in board-and-care facilities in Galt, California. Its purpose was to assess the particular forms of support available to such persons and to suggest ways in which short-comings in needed supportive interaction might be remedied. The article first reviews the circumstances of board-and-care placement. It then examines the concept of support systems and their relevance to the health and well-being of individuals. Following this, the findings of a study of 39 psychiatrically disabled persons residing in board-and-care homes in one rural California community are reported. Several recommendations are offered which illustrate two ways in which agency and community services might affect the support available to board-and-care residents.