The purpose of the study was to investigate the activity of Nursing and supportive care hospitals in the city of Kaunas and to define patients’ needs for post-hospitalization. Methods. Analysis of statistical data on hospital activity for 2001-2003 was done. A questionnaire was given to 163 patients in the study hospitals to complete anonymously and the results of medical tests were analyzed. The results: The number of nursing beds (275) in the city of Kaunas remains unchanged since 2001 and it is out of phase with the prognosis of 386-407 beds in the Reorganization plan of health care institutions in the Kaunas region. According to an evaluation of patients’ independence in performing everyday activities (Barthel scale) and mental status evaluation using the Mini-Mental Status Examination, a higher percentage (76,7%) of patients in nursing and supportive care institutions in the city of Kaunas are dependent or sub-dependent and/or with severe or moderate cognitive disorders. The others (23,3%) are slightly dependent and independent with slight or no cognitive disorders. Half of the respondents stated the necessity or wish for post-hospitalization. 58,3% respondents are alone, 42% living unsupported, 72,4% have minimal income and 12,3% have even lower income, 12,3% have no one to help them apply for help and support, and 5,5% have no place to stay after discharge. These results indicate a social need for continuity of care. It was concluded that the activity of Nursing and... [to full text]