[Role of the nursing home in the after care of CVA patients].

About 20% of the survivors from acute stroke are relocated from a general hospital to a rehabilitation centre or to a nursing and reactivation home. This occurs about one or two months after the stroke. At that point in time the most important period for spontaneous recovery has already passed. In 1981 a recent stroke was the somatic reason for admission in 21.4% of all patients in nursing-homes. In comparison to rehabilitation centres more elderly stroke patients with many other disorders are admitted to nursing-homes. It is also shown that the more disabled stroke patients are admitted to nursing-homes, but this appears to be influenced by the presence of a rehabilitation centre in the area. Urinary incontinence, a 'psychosyndrome', a relapse of stroke, a healthy partner and, to a lesser degree, aphasia determine the perspectives for discharge, besides functional recovery. But also the care setting and the facilities of a day hospital in a nursing-home are important factors that will influence the prognosis for discharge.