The stricken: the social consequences of stroke

Of 76 patients admitted consecutively to a stroke rehabilitation ward at Lightburn Hospital Glasgow, 35 were discharged home, and 29 of these were followed at home for three years or until they died. Eighteen of the patients survived for three years, the survivors being mainly the younger patients. Most remained reasonably fit physically, but none returned to employment and few undertook any activities outside the house. Many became depressed and frustrated. This group received little in the way of domiciliary health and social services, rehabilitation services and financial help. There is a need to improve the services for survivors of strokes after their discharge from hospital.