The growing need for home health care for the elderly: home health care for the elderly as an integral part of primary health care services

Abstract

Population ageing is a global phenomenon, with more people than ever at risk of developing the chronic diseases, ill-health and dependence that often accompany advanced old age. The global shift in the burden of illness from acute life-threatening infectious diseases to chronic disabling noncommunicable diseases is leading to a rise in temporary or permanent functional disabilities and diminished quality of life, especially in the elderly. This is becoming a major challenge for health care delivery systems due to the increased costs of health care and long-term care, giving rise to the need to and alternative care strategies to meet the special demands of the elderly and their families.The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean has produced this report to examine the need for home health care for the elderly to become an integral part of primary health care services in the Region. The home health care approach has been proven to be cost-elective in providing health services for the elderly in their homes. The report reviews the requirements for providing home health care services in terms of the kind of services required, who can provide the services and eligibility for receiving the services, as well as the benefits and cost-effective of home health care, patient satisfaction, quality assurance and patient safety in providing the services in home settings, establishing an effective referral system and experiences from other Regions. The report provides evidence-based advocacy material for integrating home health care in health care delivery in the Eastern MediterraneanRegion and encouraging countries to develop national strategies for promoting home health care