LIFE AFTER YEARS IN-HOSPITAL - WHAT DOES IT HOLD

This paper describes the process by which the Schizophrenia Psychosoci al Rehabilitation Program in the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital, Hamilt on, Canada worked with a group of institutionalized, ''long-stay'' cli ents to help them move out of hospital (Mean length of stay = 13 years ). Various innovative approaches are outlined. Follow-up of this group 2 years later included interviews with the Lehman Quality of life int erview and the Cantril ladder Overall, it was found that the longer th e clients lived in the community, the higher they rated their overall quality of life. As well, they viewed their quality of life in all dom ains as neutral to positive. A case example illustrating this process of change is included.