This study of a population of 378 patients selected for family care homes revealed a predomination of older women and younger men diagnosed schizophrenic reaction who had a median hospitalization of almost 2 years.When these patients returned from family care it usually occurred in less than 3 months. One year was an adequate time lapse to evaluate successful stay out of the hospital.The variables of length of hospitalization and previous times out on convalescent leave could be combined into an index which, if for any given case was below the median, may be indicative of success. The Departure Index may be a useful conceptual instrument for the prediction of success not only in family care placement but in general.Abstract Teaser