Non-institutional care for the elderly. A Danish model.
A 4 year long Action Research Project including the reorganization and co-ordination of services and facilities for the elderly had been conducted in a Danish municipality. The project was started in June 1984 when a conceptual framework was developed to establish the foundation for the design of the project. The concept of self-care and WHO's strategy "Health for all by the year 2000" were central aspects of the framework. Self-care is the process of choosing and deciding over our own bodies and lives. In a more institutionalized health care system, citizens are often not able to take part in the decision-making process, or only with difficulty. A survey study was conducted to assess the social and health service needs and wishes of persons over 67 years of age. Comprehensive interdisciplinary training of staff was carried out. During the latter part of this period, a 24 hour service was planned, and the former nursing home was converted into a health care centre, with sheltered flats, guests flats and a day centre, open to all citizens, irrespectively of age. Out of consideration for both the inhabitants of the former nursing home and the staff, who were to test both the new ways of working together and the new working methods the changes were initiated slowly with careful preparation and coordination among the respective parties.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Wagner
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Institute of Social Medicine, University of Copenhagen.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003718:Denmark; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006699:Home Care Services; D016852:Housing for the Elderly; D006801:Humans; D012648:Self Care; D013997:Time Factors