Stroke In The Elderly: Toward A Specialized Care In Acute And Rehabilitation Units?

Patients presenting with a stroke may be refused by neurological rehabilitation center teams because of their old age. However, it has been disclosed that stroke units and specialized rehabilitation centers are efficient in terms of mortality, functional recovering, quality of life, and home return regardless the age. The experience of the rehabilitation unit of the Charpennes Hospital in Lyon, dedicated to old patients presenting with a stroke, is of particular interest to demonstrate the feasibility and the efficiency of such a specialized care in elderly population. Combined acute and rehabilitation stage stroke units may be particularly appropriated to elderly.