title: Economic aspects of alternative strategies for the care of elderly people.
abstract: Economic analysis of alternative forms of care for elderly people has been slow to develop in many countries because the methodological problems involved are formidable. However, despite these difficulties, a review of studies undertaken in eleven countries has shown that progress has been made in terms of both methodological improvements (measuring costs, effectiveness and preferences for various services) and policy recommendations. It is surprising that similar conclusions occur in different studies. Domiciliary care is economically efficient and preferred by most old people but if this policy is to be successful more resources have to be allocated to relevant services, better housing accommodation, higher income levels and improved social integration.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006291:Health Policy; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000191:economics*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans