The concept of managed care at home is adopted in many developed countries to provide healthcare options to the elderly with any chronic illness while they are still at home. Getting admitted in nursing homes or hospitals was the only way to seek long-term medical care till date. But, with the advent of this model, the gap between an elderly and his medical care is bridged.
With the burden of communicable and non communicable diseases, increasing elderly population, soaring health care cost, and shrinking insurance coverages, this model can be a boon for many aged patients who find this more financially viable and medically justified option. Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), is the program that provides all the services of a nursing home including periodic examinations by the doctors and nurses, daytime social activities, physical and occupational therapy and complete healthcare at home. The concept of Accountable Care Organizations is also being promoted to increase and sustain quality of care, better management of chronic illnesses amongst the elderly and control expenditures on health.
According to the recent information in the New York Times on February 23, 2012, the PACE model has grown rapidly from 42 programs in 22 states in year 2007 to 84 in 29 states today.
Also, many countries of South-East Asia region have also established various community based health care services that integrate with primary healthcare structure for the elderly.
Though, the idea is still not so prevalent in developing nations, but can be explored with a very positive move to reach the most vulnerable elderly population of these nations.