Optimization of the care model for elderly in Poland

• Published in: Fizjoterapia 2013-12, Vol.21 (4), p.35-43
• Main Authors: Lwow, Felicja, Korzeniowska, Małgorzata, Dadacz, Joanna, Hladik, Ewa, Łukojko, Agata, Denkowska, Anna
• Format: Article
• Language: eng ; pol
• Subjects: gerontology; health promotion for the elderly; optimization of the mode of senior care; Preventive medicine
• ISSN: 1230-8323; 2083-8204; 1230-8323; 2544-4395
• DOI: 10.2478/physio-2013-0048

The demographic situation of Poland as well as other developed countries shows a growing number of people at retirement age. According to the data from GUS (Central Statistical Office), their number reached 6.5 mln in Poland in 2011, and the prognosis for shows 8,3 mln by the year 2035. The consequence of this fact is a necessity of including the specificity of this age group in the functioning of Polish health care as well as in preventive medicine and health promotion. Unifying the health needs of this age group would be disadvantageous due to the diversification of physical efficiency level in the psychosomatic and social aspect. Nevertheless, the key problem is to distinguish the optimal health care models which include not only chronic conditions and dysfunctions but also the quality of life and socially independent life style that guarantee the lack of isolation and social exclusion. Distinguishing the four action models, namely people considered as healthy by the system, autonomously functioning people with chronic conditions, and people who need other people or institutional care to function in a society, seems to cover the individual needs of this group. Concluding, the National Health Care needs to work out some proceeding algorithms for these models. The optimal program adjustment for the needs of the target group would most certainly improve the effectiveness of the Health Care.