[Rehabilitation of over 60-year-old stroke patients]

The rehabilitation processus in over 60-year-old patients is documented. History, clinical findings and progress of rehabilitation in 289 patients were evaluated. A pre- and post-comparison and a subgroup formation on the basis of rehabilitation success and finally the evaluation of possible predicting factors for the rehabilitation success are presented. "Successful rehabilitation" was defined, based on the clinical outcome, and judged by the responsible physician. This decision was subjected to thorough analysis. The outcome was judged to be 'very successful' in 18.3%, 'successful' in 51.2% and 'not successful' in only 30.5%. The costs per case were 16,000 DM. Highly significant relationships could be found between the expression 'successful rehabilitation', the discharge lacation, the stage of care at the time of discharge, the Barthel index and the in-house hemiplegic status at discharge. The following conditions resulted as highly significant predictors: stage of car, general condition, the numeric value of the Barthel index, presence of incontinence and presence of a psychoorganic syndrome. Age, sex and number of strokes revealed no relationship to the rehabilitation success in this work. In spite of multiple morbidity and in spite of mobility restrictions and prolonged reconvalescence time, the geriatric rehabilitation carried out in a trained team is successful.