Abstract

In a study of 500 formerly hospitalized mentally ill residents of comunity-based sheltered- care facilities in California, results indicate that rehospitalization services as a means of ‘updating’ the chronic patient's treatment. By returning to the hospital the patient is linked to the service system and its newest benefits accrue to him. In the absence of a care system which can more effectively link chronic patients to available services, rehospitalization may serve an unforseen positive function. © 1981, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.