Glenridge: a partnership for eldercare.
Societal trends of rising health care costs and changing elder demographics dictate the need for new and innovative approaches to cost-effective health care and other services for this age group. As individuals age, their need for assistive services increases, and access becomes a priority. Housing models that provide an environment which facilitates independent living are very desirable and usually cost-containing by postponing and/or preventing institutionalization. Through access to health promotion and maintenance services, residents are enabled to stay in their preferred home environments as long as possible (Zink & Bissonnette, 1990, p. 70). A major obstacle to these models is a clear definition of the elder population's needs and a coordinated effort to meet these needs (Little, 1980). An innovative partnership involving nursing education, an area agency on aging, and a developer provided a unique opportunity for a school of nursing to play a pivotal role in the coordination of health care for "well" older adults.
Bicknell
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University of Maine School of Nursing, Orono 04473.
Pike
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D000368:Aged; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016852:Housing for the Elderly / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008281:Maine; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D016730:Program Development; D012579:Schools, Nursing