Perceptions of unmet need in four community services for elderly people.
Home-care services particularly, and food services to a lesser extent, are seen by elderly people as being critically important for their capacity to live independently in western Sydney. Home nursing and transport services are valued but are less critical. Consumers, providers of services and referral agents all identify significant levels of unmet need for community services. The home care service particularly is stretched by pressures which are likely to be exacerbated by demographic change and by cost-shifting between state governments and the Commonwealth Governments.
Baume
P
P
School of Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington.
Isaacson
B
B
Hunt
J
J
D000368:Aged; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000600:supply & distribution; D006801:Humans; D009517:New South Wales