Elder-friendly service delivery models

Abstract

Rising prevalence of chronic diseases is a feature of aging populations around the world, requiring the need for innovations and change to health-care systems. The latter should take into account service needs from the users’ perspective, how different types of services are matched to the needs of the elderly in the community and institutional care settings, and development and evaluation of innovative care models. The lack of easily accessible publicly funded primary care in Hong Kong has contributed to elderly services being shifted to the hospital system and also contributed to a high rate of long-term institutional care, in addition to higher rates of avoidable mortality compared with other countries. An experimental model of community care integrating medical and social components may address some of the current gaps in service needs for the older population in Hong Kong.