Global trends in the assessment of quality of long-term care for older people

Abstract

Population ageing is a global challenge facing the world, but the pace of change is particularly rapid in Asia and the Pacific, where the proportion of the population aged 65 and above is estimated to increase by about 2.5 times the current level by 2050, reaching 14% of women and 11% of men. While active ageing initiatives are being promoted in response to the increase in the number of older people, a common challenge is the introduction, access, and continuity of long-term care services. To address these challenges, it is necessary to assess the quality of care and introduce it while clarifying its cost-effectiveness, etc. However, the care of older people and the provision of care services are significantly influenced by national policies, including social security, and the economic, social, and cultural context. In Addition, there are issues related to the use of multiple services, including home care, existence of informal care, and appropriate assessment of the quality of life of older people in long-term care, and internationally widely available assessment indicators are still under development. This review outlines global trends in the development of assessment indicators of quality of care for older people.