ABSTRACT
The hospital in which the Case Aide Program operated was located among several suburban, prosperous communities. Viewed from the road, the hospital’s landscape is perfectly in keeping with the lovely homes and gardens common to the area. The spirit of the Case Aide program was probably the most important factor in its effectiveness and success with patients. This spirit was so entwined with the total fabric of the program that it can hardly be talked about separately. The philosophy of the program was based on some fundamental principles, one of which was the belief that a firm relationship with an individual who really cares is the basis for all change. The Case Aide tried to help the patient obtain what he would need in order to accomplish their agreed upon goals. Case Aides, novices to the psychiatric arena, are not yet jaded; they not only believe in the principles, but, sometimes to our chagrin, actually live up to them.
