Long-Term Care:The Need for Special Medical Supervision and Collaboration Between Health and Social Services

Abstract

Demographic trends and age-related rates of chronic conditions, resulting in high levels of disabilities and handicaps, will determine the need for community long-term care and institutional long-term care (LTC). As has been shown for many countries, the segment of the elderly population needing institutional LTC varies in general between 5% to 8% of the elderly population (about 2%-5% of the elderly is in need of nursing home care and 3%-5% of care in residential homes) [1,2]. Each elderly and younger person with severe chronic conditions and long-lasting physical and/or mental disabilities shows an almost unique interface with family relations and support, other informal care, living situations, and social integration. Hence, professional LTC support should be highly person-specific and delivered by specially trained professionals (also medical doctors) in a health and social service system that is flexible and easily accessible, guaranteeing continuity of care and allowing clients to make the best informed choice among services available.