Providing Integrated Health and Social Services for Older Persons : A European Overview of Issues at Stake

Originating from a project in the EU Fifth Framework Programme, this volume contributes to the development of new concepts for integrated health and social care.

The project identifies structural, organizational, economic, social and cultural factors that constitute integrated care systems with enhanced outcomes for the different stakeholders involved in care for older persons.

The book provides a unique overview of European approaches towards integrated social and health care services.

Scholars from leading research and consulting agencies in nine EU member states (Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and the UK) present policies that are being developed to face the growing need of care in ageing societies.

They also portray examples of successful approaches, along with some 50 model ways of working to overcome the 'social-health divide'.

Reading this book will help researchers, policy makers and practitioners to better understand the meaning of social and health care services' integration and coordination in Europe.