Abstract
The study involved 39 patients aged 76.0 (SD = 10.9) years (minimum 47 years, maximum 91 years). The examined patients came from families with varying degrees of caring capacity and, on these grounds, were assigned into subgroups. We used Mini-Mental State Examination, the Geriatric Depression Scale, and the Barthel Index. The greatest improvement in functional status after rehabilitation occurred in patients with a family characterized by a lack of caring capacity, and the smallest improvement was in the group of patients with full caring capacity. The greatest improvements in the performance of basic activities of daily living were reported in singles or people from families with a total lack of care.