Successful Models of Community Long Term Care Services for the Elderly

Book excerpt: Learn about the exciting possibilities for maintaining elderly residents in their own homes by marshalling available resources to pay for needed support services. Experienced practitioners provide examples of successful community-based long-term care service programs for the elderly, programs that are supported by a mix of public funds and private resources. They explore the role of service providers in developing successful models of community-based long-term care services--housing, home care services, comprehensive senior centers, and day care, among others--and discuss not only the successes of the particular programs but the obstacles and barriers that had to be overcome as well. Chapters focus on policies for the development of effective models, from the perspectives of municipal, county, state, and federal governments involved in community service provision, and the role of colleges and universities in training personnel to develop and implement community-based long term care services. Taken together, this tutorial, taught by practitioners who offer wisdom and insight based on their hands-on experience, is indeed a unique contribution to the field of long-term care.