[Perspectives for professionally sufficient and adequate care of ageing patients]

This contribution deals with the question of how existing health care systems can be sufficiently and adequately adapted to ageing patients in general, and to patients with special needs for nursing care and assistance. Simultaneously, it advocates explicit consideration of the dimensions of social inequality and health hazards related to biographical factors. It demonstrates that health care involves much more than just adequate medical care in the event of illness. The reasons that change is needed are given and reform options for relevant segments of health care (such as medical practitioners, hospital care, health care for patients in need of nursing care, palliative care, prevention and rehabilitation) are presented. Special emphasis is placed on standards and guidelines relating to old age morbidity and integrated health care systems as well as rehabilitation, prevention and health promotion. A key role is attributed to the qualification of health services staff. More intensive research into health care and health services in respect of the elderly is also advocated.