ABSTRACT
AIM: To explore stroke patients needs of care after discharge from hospital or rehabilitation facility. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews with twenty stroke patients and their partners in the region Midden-Kennemerland in the Netherlands. RESULTS: 'That's when it really begins'; at home it becomes clear what the real consequences of the stroke are on daily life. After returning home patients would have liked to (1) have had more information/support and they have a need for support for a long time after their stroke; (2) have had the possibility to get support later on (after having said 'no' in the first place). On the other hand there are (3) patients who are inclined to search for solutions by themselves. CONCLUSION: Only after returning home stroke patients and their partners can really assess what their need for care is. Therefore the need for care of stroke patients should be assessed after a period of time after the patients return home. The care should be available for a long time after the stroke. Because patients don't realize that they can get help for the neuropsychological consequences, it is important that the initiative to organize the care lies in the hands of the caregivers.
