Health systems around the world share the challenge of treating elderly adults with complex needs. Two new case studies by Bradford H. Gray, Ulrika Winblad, and Dana O. Sarnak showcase two promising programs from Sweden.
- Sweden’s Esther Model: Improving Care for Elderly Patients with Complex Needs. Inspired by the harrowing case of a real patient, the Esther model was launched in the late 1990s to encourage caregivers to maintain their focus on the needs, preferences, and concerns of their older patients dealing with multiple health issues.
- Sweden’s Senior Alert Program: How an Information System Can Reduce Health Risks Among the Elderly. A national preventive care dashboard for the elderly, Sweden’s Senior Alert program seeks to identify and reduce health risks for elders, such as injuries from falls, pressure ulcers, malnutrition, and oral health care issues.