Utilization of specialized ambulatory care by the elderly. A study of a clinic

Specialized ambulatory geriatric care remains an understudied topic. This article analyzes the organization of one special clinic that was established in an apartment block of elderly housing. The findings indicated that as the number of nurse practitioners and case workers' visits rose steadily during the first four years of the clinic's existence, visits to the clinic physicians declined by approximately one visit per client per year. The clinic population utilized less inpatient hospital care than other nonusing residents, and less than other residents of similar age in Connecticut. There was reduced usage of intermediate nursing home care (as opposed to skilled nursing care). Hence, how geriatric ambulatory care is delivered affects institutionalization. In the interests of general well-being and economy, more attention should be paid to this extramural phase of medical care of the elderly.U