Community Programs for the Health Impaired Elderly

Book excerpt: Here is one of the first volumes focusing on the therapist's role in providing rehabilitation services for the expanding population of health impaired elderly who are living in the community. With changes in reimbursement policies for home care and out-patient services, the increased number of older persons living in the community, and most recently, the DRG and Prospective Payment initiatives, the role of institutions continues to diminish and the press for community alternatives is becoming more urgent with each new directive from government agencies. This exciting book includes an overviw of possibilities for the very frail person who might otherwise require an institutional setting. Other topics include management of the diabetic in the community, the sexual needs of older adults, crucial components to successful community living for anyone with a health impairment, and the timely and personal topic of coping with the death of a patient.