Rehabilitation of stroke patients in a day hospital.

A comprehensive rehabilitation program for stroke patients strives to rectify deficits in communication, cognition, sensation and motor function. Day hospitals can provide diagnostic and remedial therapy services daily or for several hours a week. At the same time, patients can live at home, maintaining their place in the family and community. Day hospitals can also benefit patients who were not introduced to a rehabilitation program soon after suffering a stroke, and provide intermittent upgrading and maintenance therapy for those with recurrent or remote strokes. The day hospital can help the family physician to assess patients' functional status, and assist with caregiving. The experience of a Toronto day hospital is described.