[Rehabilitation of psychiatric patients in the halfway house--a 10-year retrospective study]

In a period of ten years 159 residents were admitted to a transitional home. 90% of them were diagnosed as chronic schizophrenics with a marked psychic and social handicap. With an average age of 28.7 years and a mean duration of illness of 6.8 years most of the patients had been hospitalized several times; 95% had no job, lived on social assistance or were invalidity pensioners. There was poor success in vocational rehabilitation (22%). Better results were seen in solving the housing problems, showing a clear-cut tendency to move from the family of origin into protected group homes or independent living. Positive effects of social training with gains in life-coping abilities and social competence, i.e., in autonomy in everyday life could be observed as well.