A study of twenty psychiatric patients moved from hospital to community: baseline, six months and one year follow-up

Abstract

This study describes the transition of twenty long-stay, non-demented psychiatric patients moving from institutional care to community care as part of the closure of two large psychiatric hospitals. This study is part of a research project comparing patients' functioning before discharge with six and twelve months after moving into the community. The overall results showed some deterioration in patients' mental state. However, hygiene standards, social networks and attitudes towards community living showed positive changes.