title: Establishing need for and designing information systems supporting decentralized services for the elderly: the case of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
abstract: Leaders of senior social services in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, have reevaluated home-delivered meals (HDM) for the elderly in light of demographic and economic changes. A recommendation was the establishment of an integrated information system aiding policy and provider-level users in coordinating and planning numerous services, including HDM. The first step is the establishment of computerized geographic information and decision support systems. Further integration of a unified client database would enhance the capabilities of this information system in coordinating services for seniors. These possibilities, along with value-based and administrative challenges to constructing a countywide information system, are discussed.
authors.affiliation: OMG Center for Collaborative Learning, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Encandela
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gant
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Gorr
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spilka
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003660:Decision Support Systems, Management; D005522:Food Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D010414:Pennsylvania; D010934:Planning Techniques; D012040:Regional Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*