Exploratory Study of Patients' Life Situation after a Stroke

This study aimed to characterize the patients' life situation upon returning home, assess the illness and recovery process, and understand how stroke patients experience hospital stay and discharge. Data were presented using three different approaches: a brief socio-demographic characterization; a description of the general meaning captured; and a detailed assessment of the themes identified. Mean age of 71 years; an average of 690 days since the ischemic episode; length of hospital stay between 9 and 61 days. Interviews were conducted in distinct contexts. The mRS and BI scores revealed significant functional preservation. Different experiences were found regarding the "length of hospital stay", availability, attitude towards disease, recovery and after-effects, lifestyles, regaining control, and family involvement. The importance given to body functioning, organic dimension, and presence of pain are underlined. As aspects of quality of life, participants underlined the family unit, discrimination and "weight of the gaze", and support network and its importance.