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Strategies for an Ageing Population: Expanding the Priorities Discussion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 November 2008

Mats Thorslund  and
Marti G. Parker
Mats Thorslund
Affiliation:
Department of Social Work, Stockholm UniversityS-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
Marti G. Parker
Affiliation:
Department of Social Work, Stockholm UniversityS-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Abstract

The growing number of oldest old has increased the need for social services and medical care in many countries during the last decade. These needs have been met with various strategies to make more effective and efficient use of resources. In many ways these changes have been successful, but at the same time the amount of success correlates negatively to the potential for further gains. That is, when the slack in the system has been drawn in, it is doubtful whether further gains can be made with these strategies. So what can be done if the public resources are restricted and needs continue to increase? Adequate solutions will require a wide perspective encompassing all the various services needed by elderly people. Decisions made in one sector necessarily have repercussions in other service areas. It is also essential to recognize the differences between sectors; guidelines and strategies developed within the medical sector are not always applicable in the social services sector. With Sweden as an example, the organizational and administrative changes that have occurred during the last decades are presented along with arguments for extending the discussion of strategies and priorities to include all kinds of service to the elderly population.

Keywords

Social welfareelderly personspriorities.
Type
Research Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 15 , Issue 2 , June 1995 , pp. 199 - 217
Copyright
Copyright Cambridge University Press 1995

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