Toward a continuum of care for the elderly: a note of caution

The search for better ways to care for the chronically ill elderly has led to "alternatives to institutional care." A study fo geriatric day care and homemaker services finds that they were used as an add-on to existing care, few patients benefited, and costs were 60-71% higher than costs of a control group. Four more studies have confirmed the lack of substitution effects. Services could be targeted on those who need them even though it is very difficult to do so, and efficacy should be demonstrated before benefits are expended to new services.