Do We Need Board and Care Homes?

Board and care homes have proliferated in an unplanned ad hoc manner as a consequence of the deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill. Although board and care homes have received their share of negative publicity, they are a necessary component of the community mental health system. Four major societal functions provided by board and care homes are (a) bed of last resort (b) diversity (c) potential to prevent social deterioration (d) respite care. Some problems facing these homes are (a) need for closer monitoring (b) increased personal spending money for residents (c) utilizing multiple market strategies to fill the demand for more homes.