A continuity long-term care system for elderly: Scoping reviews

Abstract

Background: The increasing number of Thai elderlies have direct effects on the social welfare system and healthcare services.

Objectives: To study knowledge gaps for determining guidelines for the development of a continuity long-term care system for the elderly in Thailand.

Methods: The documents about long-term care policy in the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, Canada, Japan, Singapore, and Thailand were reviewed. The scope of the review included 1) The service models 2) The service accessibility process and 3) The service expenditure.

Result: Twenty-four articles and twelve gray literature were identified. It was found that 1) The service models of the long-term care system consisted of 2 models, the formal model provide by both the state and the private sectors and the informal model provided by the family and community. The benefits of the two models were available in both cash and other forms, such as home care 2) The service accessibility process of the long-term care system provided by a screening system classifying the level of care needs according to the criteria for daily activities of the elderly and 3) The service expenditure of the long-term care system was paid by the government through the tax system, the social security system, and the self-payment.

Conclusions: Development guidelines to address the knowledge gaps in the service model, service assessing process, and service expenditure included 1) The development of caregivers in both quantity and quality 2) The development of financial support mechanisms 3) The provision of appropriate benefits packages 4) Organizing activities to enhance the quality of life 5) Adjustment of hospitals' roles 6) Increase the number of service centers 7) Modification of screening criteria to account for medical conditions, daily living, and finances and 8) The development of financial and fiscal systems and mechanisms to support future expenses.