This study evaluates the long-term outcome of elderly patients discharged from hospital after a burn injury. Ninety-three patients over the age of 60 years, admitted to a regional burn center, were included in the study from January 1981 to January 1986. The in-hospital mortality rate was 49.4%. Patients' living status was graded according to dependency: 47% of patients were reduced to a more dependent living status on discharge, and 36% of the survivors were followed up for between 1 and 5 years. During this time seven (19.4%) patients died, three (8.3%) became more independent, four (11.1%) less independent. Life table analysis of discharged patients showed no accelerated death rate in comparison with the normal population. The high mortality associated with burns in the elderly was confirmed. Half the survivors were at least temporarily less independent. Projected life expectancy for the elderly surviving a burn is comparable with his/her uninjured counterpart.