Prevention and rehabilitation for older people within Long-term Care in seven European countries –overarching topics and the meaning of social participation

Abstract

Introduction: European and national public and political debates focus on the potential of prevention and rehabilitation (P&R) for older people. Increasingly the debate extends to P&R potentials for older people already in long-term care (LTC) processes. Non-medical perspectives emphasize the importance of social inclusion as central for their health and well-being. Methods: In the EU (FP7) project INTERLINKS seven research teams investigated this topic in their countries, looking at political debates, scientific evidence, legislative and institutional contexts and good practice examples. Results: In several countries this topic is in an initial state in policy, research and practice; in some, relevant approaches can be found. Some common issues were identified across countries: aspects of governance as promoting or compromising integrated pathways; inequalities in access; cultural issues promoting or inhibiting preventive and rehabilitative orientations; self-determination and self care as normative orientations. Non-medical intersectoral and integrated approaches to P&R, especially those addressing social inclusion, were under-represented. Still, some interesting examples demonstrate P&R approaches enabling also social participation for older people in LTC. Discussion and Conclusion: P&R in LTC need further research and development in order to improve the evidence and identify effective elements for strategies in policy and practice [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]