Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria

1. Older adult (> 60 years old)

2. Admitted to the geriatric rehabilitation unit after a mild-moderate stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic, stroke severity at admission assessed by National Institute of Health Stroke Severity (NIHSS) scale < 17 points)

3. Able to provide informed consent, personally or by caregiver.

1. Previous diagnosis of dementia (ascertained from medical records)

2. Severe post-stroke cognitive impairment (Pfeiffer SMPQ> 7 errors)

3. Persistent delirium (> 7 days) after admission in the rehabilitation unit

4. Previous severe disability in activities of daily living (pre-stroke Barthel index < 20/100 points)

5. Severe stroke which might limit recovery (NIHSS> 16)

6. Aphasia or other problems hampering communication

7. Advanced and/or terminal condition (life expectancy not exceeding 6 months).