Description
Long-term care is a financial problem for the NHS, a dilemma for many geriatricians, and a burden for many General Practitioners who do not have the time or resources to perform the role adequately. Yet there is increasing evidence from the UK and abroad that elderly people do benefit from structured care consisting of a comprehensive assessment of needs, a well organised care plan, and regular review. Instruments for the assessment of elderly people in different settings have been validated and interventions in institutions and the community have produced improvements in quality of care. Different models for the medical supervision of elderly people in long-term care are options for consideration by geriatricians and general practitioners.
