Evaluation of the quality of psychiatric care for the aged

Older persons represent a high proportion of those receiving care in institutions because of behavioral problems; relatively few aged people are treated in mental health center and other outpatient settings. The author believes that the availability and accessibility of community services should be among the most important variables used in assessing quality of care for the aged. He encourages the establishment of new norms for the quality of services needed to restore and maintain maximum physical, psychological, and social integrity.