title: Alternatives to institutionalization.
abstract: If the family physician is to avoid institutionalizing his elderly patients unnecessarily, he must arrange for a comprehensive medical, psychologic, social and financial assessment of all his elderly patients under active treatment. He must contact or organize home health services so that his patients can obtain nursing, homemaker and social work services, meals-on-wheels and other voluntary assistance. He should promote the development of day care and other services that will help maintain the independence of his elderly patients.
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare; D000368:Aged; D003631:Day Care, Medical; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000191:economics; D006699:Home Care Services; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D008605:Mental Health Services; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D012424:Rural Population; D012947:Social Work; D014481:United States