The importance of the gateway in the system: The integral model of care for the elderly

Abstract

The literature shows that the provision of services to the elderly should be more efficient. Users need services that integrate primary care and other services, as well as qualified health staff. The care plan and management are key elements for the success of the care. There is a need to modify the healthcare model, starting with the integration and coordination of services. This text is based on two successful healthcare models for the elderly, that of UnATI-UERJ and the Well-Cared Elderly Project, an initiative of the National Supplementary Health Agency that proposes an innovative model of care. Both are comprised of five hierarchical levels of care – (1) care, (2) integrated care center, (3) geriatric outpatient clinic, (4) short-term complex care and (5) long-term care – the first three stand out, in the light instances of care. Risk identification and completeness of attention at different points in the network are at the heart of this model. The main commitment of the project is to improve the quality and coordination of care from the system's entrance door and throughout care, with consequent better use of system resources, both by health professionals and by users and patients.