A Health-Care System for the Elderly

Abstract

Because the number of elderly persons is increasing, society is searching for new approaches to their medical care. A recent nationwide forum of political leaders stressed society's concern about the increasing cost of caring for the elderly.¹ Medical expenses comprise a substantial proportion of this care. However, the health of the elderly has not measurably improved despite the increase in health-care spending resulting from the introduction of Medicare.Services for the elderly are incomplete, often duplicative and not efficiently responsive to the needs of the elderly. Physician services, health care and health status form complex relations. Analysis of these relations . . .