A comprehensive rehabilitation program for chronic patients in a state mental hospital

Abstract

In the program described in this manuscript, the author suggests that comprehensive planning for the rehabilitation of long-term hospitalized mentally ill patients includes a variety of specific approaches that utilize staff creativity and involve the patient in a structured milieu. The rehabilitation team organizes the daily responsibilities of each patient (including individual work assignments, recreation, group discussion, and training classes which teach adaptive skills) and provides meaningful rewards and incentives through the use of a graded evaluation system, based on community standards and requirements. The milieu created by the staff is specifically geared toward cultivating and strengthening the potential resources of every individual patient.