Review of service delivery models for older people that maximize quality of life
“The individual causes of mortality are preventable but death itself is not.’’
- Zygmunt Bauman, sociologist
We enter an era of human history that is achieving unprecedented longevity. Health systems need to shift from providing curative care to promoting quality of life as societies get older and as end-of-life care becomes more complex.
To improve health systems, WKC worked with King’s College London to conduct a rapid scoping review of service delivery models for older people for high quality of life at the end-of-life. This study was a rapid systematic scoping review of 72 systematic reviews. Two overarching classifications of service models were identified. The first is Integrated Geriatric Care, which aimed to improve physical functioning, and the second is Integrated Palliative Care, which aimed to alleviate disease symptoms. Areas of synergy include people-centered care; health education for service users and providers; and the deployment of a multi-professional workforce.
Dr Paul Ong, Technical Officer of the WHO Kobe Centre said, ‘’End-of-life care is a critical area of concern for health systems in long lived societies and WKC is proud to be developing a research agenda in this area.’’