Older Adults

If the health of older people is to be addressed appropriately, then it is essential that there be support for older people to live at home by providing appropriate community-based services to meet their needs. This approach needs to be complemented by ensuring access to acute services is available in an appropriate manner when required. If this approach is to be followed then there is an urgent need to address the specific deficits in infrastructure that exist across the country. There should be an emphasis on replacement and/ or refurbishment of facilities. If this is not done, then we will see the inappropriate admission of older people to acute care facilities with the consequent negative impacts on acute services and unnecessary stress on older people.