INTERLINKS - A Europe-wide resource that aims to improve long-term care for older people
Health systems and long-term care for older people in Europe – Modelling the INTERfaces and LINKS between prevention, rehabilitation, quality of services and informal care
The INTERLINKS project helps people in Europe who work with and represent older people in need of long-term care (LTC). We want to inspire health and social care professionals, policy makers, people from administrative agencies, and people working in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to:
- work towards integrated systems of LTC;
- improve planning and delivery of services for frail older people at the interfaces between formal and informal care, and between social and health care;
- integrate prevention, rehabilitation, quality management, governance and finance in the toolbox to develop LTC systems.
Mission
Older people and their carers want to be independent and have some control over their care. But gaps in LTC pathways often lead to poor quality care in which they cannot make the right choices. INTERLINKS looks for ways to fill these gaps and improve care. We aim to point planners and those who provide services towards improved ways of supporting older people. We take particular notice of older people who may be difficult to reach.
The introductory video shows how all different types of care for older people need to be identified, co-ordinated and managed to improve person-centred care.
Results
We have developed a Framework for Long-term Care to identify gaps in long-term care, and to highlight solutions that will help planners and care providers assess and improve their services. Older people and their informal carers are at the centre of the Framework.
