Organisation and Program in a Geriatric Centre in Israel

Abstract

The organisation and program of medical work in a 1,100 beds Geriatric Centre are outlined. The division of the population of this Centre into three departments – independent, disabled, and nursing patients – appears to reflect faithfully the amount of assistance needed, and facilitates the supply of adequate service. The comprehensive medical service with his current curative, preventive and scientific aspects of activity makes this institution almost autonomic from this point of view, excepting surgery. Although planning of so large geriatric institutions is not to be recommended, similar medical organisation should be considered.

What Is the Function of a Hospital for Geriatric and Chronic Diseases?

“…Successive waves of immigration have brought many elderly and chronically sick suddenly into a variegated population; and the young people of the country have begun to age. An example of a large institution housing the healthy aged as well as infirm residents, with facilities for nursing cases, was described by Hart and Schadel (12). As yet there are few combinations of geriatric departments with continuing‐care facilities, and the emphasis in recent years has been to build places for patients designated as chronically sick.…”