title: A three-year census of dependent elderly.
abstract: One attempt to limit the rising health care cost for the expanding elderly population has been to control institutional utilization through community care programs. Evaluative research in this field has focussed on comparing community programs to institutionalization, rather than a simpler and more relevant examination of prevailing patterns of care. This latter approach is important for several reasons: it allows one to examine the effects of new programs; to predict future service needs; to evaluate effectiveness and appropriateness of current patterns of care; and it provides the basis for a co-ordinated approach to planning and policy. For the past three years, all institutions and community agencies in Calgary that provide care to the elderly have co-operated in an annual census to determine the location and services received by each person over 65. Study findings suggest directions for future policy and planning, and raise questions for future research.
authors.affiliation: Administrator for Research and Information, Calgary Health Services, Alberta.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Abernathy
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Lentjes
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000416:Alberta; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D014505:Urban Population