Monday, December 29, 2008

WHAT OTHER OLDER ADULT SERVICES SHOULD BE AVAILABLE?

This is my fourth post based on a policy paper of the Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC), entitled: "DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS OF A SYSTEM OF SERVICES FOR OLDER ADULTS." This following is a direct quote:

"The continuum of care should include support services, personal care services, basic and skilled nursing care services, and acute care services in a wide variety of service settings ranging from in-home to institutional environments…Acute medical care includes primary, secondary and tertiary medical care and alternatives to the biomedical models of care preferred by certain ethnic groups…Certain services should be available and accessible on a temporary or respite basis for caregivers and/or care receivers (e.g., housing, personal care, supervision, etc.)…Certain services should be available and accessible on an emergency basis (e.g., medical, housing, psychological, etc.)."

Can you think of anything to add? If so, please comment.

Bob Tell
Author, "Dementia-Diary, A Caregiver's Journal"
http://www.dementia-diary.com