The problem of chronic care

With increasing numbers of elderly people requesting some sort of institutional care, doctors must be familiar with the types of facilities available in their communities for these patients. A study is presented illustrating how the lack of readily available extended care facilities is leading to inappropriate and costly use of acute hospital beds. The levels of care available in Ontario under the Extended Care Plan are reviewed and their costs to the patient are specified in hopes that physicians will be better equipped to guide their patients in an appropriate choice of institution.