The Leros PIKPA Asylum. Deinstitutionalisation and rehabilitation project

A three-year deinstitutionalisation and rehabilitation pilot intervention project was implemented at Leros PIKPA for people with severe learning disabilities. Initial conditions at the asylum were appalling. Residents suffered severe deprivation, extreme institutionalisation, and violation of basic human rights. Intervention involved professionals from different disciplines, and involved residents, their families, care staff, the institution, and the local community. As a result, resident care and adaptive behaviour has started to improve. Communication between residents and families has increased. Owing to training and sensitisation, care staff's poor resident-management practices and negative attitudes toward disabled people have changed. Living and hygienic conditions have been upgraded and building renovation is under way. Asylum administration and the local community have been sensitised to residents' needs. Eleven residents have moved to the project's pilot community home in Athens; two others now live with foster families. The results suggest that deinstitutionalisation and rehabilitation can be successfully initiated even in residential institutions of the severest kind.