Resource allocation problems and health services for the elderly.
The provision of appropriate health support services for the elderly has increased in importance because of the trend towards aging populations in Europe and other developed regions. Health service resource allocation models and their roles in health service systems, which are also changing to reflect changing needs for the elderly, are discussed in this article. Different types of economic and health care delivery systems are examined, particularly those leading towards decentralization, consumer participation and "deinstitutionalization". A promising resource allocation approach--the "balance-of-care" approach--is described in some detail. This and other potential approaches make it possible to identify areas which hold promise for crossnational research.
Taket
A R
AR
Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, London Hospital Medical College, United Kingdom.
D000368:Aged; D005060:Europe; D015276:Health Care Rationing; D006268:Health Facilities; D006282:Health Personnel; D006285:Health Planning; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012380:Role; D006113:United Kingdom