Cerebrovascular disease and the elderly.

A three-year follow-up study in Kassel (Federal Republic of Germany) has shown that (1) the incidence of stroke rises with increasing age, (2) the incidence is higher for men than for women, and (3) the survival rate is 37% three years after the attack. The survivors differ significantly from those who died in their Barthel index scores on discharge from hospital and in age (chi-square test). Only a small subgroup (15% of the survivors) received treatment in a residential rehabilitation centre in the year after discharge from hospital.

[Group specific improvements in activities of daily living in elderly stroke patients in the rehabilitation phase. A report from the study, "Rehabilitation in geriatrics--analysis and evaluation of rehabilitation procedures in over-60 stroke patients with reference to its epidemiologic aspects")]. / Gruppenspezifische Verbesserungen von Alltagsfähigkeiten bei älteren Schlaganfallpatienten während der Rehabilitationsphase. Ein Bericht aus der Studie "Rehabilitation in der Geriatrie--Analyse und Evaluation von Rehabilitationsverfahren bei über 60jährigen Schlaganfallpatienten unter Berücksichtigung epidemiologischer Aspekte").

Significant as well as non-significant but still distinct improvements in the average functional status of Activities of Daily Living (ADL), according to the Barthel Index and Rüstigkeitsskala as shown by the total patient group of two rehabilitation clinics are presented. The initial status and the time elapsed between stroke and rehabilitation are of great importance for the changes which can be attained. Patient groups which differ in factors such as age, sex, and family status also show clear differences in the average improvement of their functional status.