The study aimed at evaluating selection criteria and basic characteristics of acute stroke patients admitted to rehabilitation programs. From January 1993 to February 1994, 373 patients from 13 hospitals of the Lombardy region were admitted to the study. The 4 months telephone follow-up was performed by the AVO (Hospital Volunteers Association) volunteers. The 4 months fatality rate was 23%. The patients with a higher disability level were prescribed a rehabilitation program. Rehabilitation resources were not available for very severe or dependent patients being mostly the younger and partially dependent patients more often referred to the services. Only 50% of eligible patients received a rehabilitation intervention within 1 month from the index episode of stroke. The lack of caring resources and the long waiting times stress the need for a reorganization of the rehabilitation services. This study also shows that volunteers can play a role of stricter collaboration with doctors and are ready to collaborate in data collection. A larger and more detailed study is warranted in order to gain a better knowledge on the problem and on the clinical and social characteristics of the stroke victims.