‘Aging in place’ : evaluation of policy implementation

Abstract

This long essay is an evaluation of policy implementation community services for older persons in Malta. Collection of data was carried out to identify whether this innovative approach to coordinating care is enabling older persons to live longer within the community. Moreover, it identifies the service provider perspective of orchestrating managed care for this age group within a community setup. A focus group was held with a multidisciplinary team to discuss their experience alongside outcome of the literature findings. This was followed by a semi-structured interview with the administrator of Commcare Assessment Unit. Results illustrate that Comm Care services have the potential of enabling frail older persons to live in the community. A number of shortcomings are experienced by Commcare Assessment Unit in realising their objectives. These include resource limitations, which are considered to be limiting the frequency of case manager contact, and fragmented community services which are considered to be short of backing managed care. Culture about hospitalisation and barriers to setting up a nurse led unit to coordinate community care are amongst problems encountered. Reports by the administrator of Commcare Assessment Unit and enthusiasm in service delivery show that a genuine effort is employed by this unit to meet the needs of older persons and support caregivers in the community. Significant progress has been made since the unit was set up just seven and a half years ago. Further achievements are possible if policy makers are sensitive to the needs of older persons and acknowledge the benefits of coordinated care for this age group.