Acute Care Hospitals Providing Elderly and Long‐term Care Services: A Survey of the Massachusetts Experience

To assess the involvement of hospitals in geriatric, community and long-term care services, a survey was undertaken of the 104 acute care hospitals in Massachusetts. Results show that hospitals (N = 81) are adding geriatric expertise but as yet have taken on community services and long-term care only to a small extent. Hospitals perceive major deficiencies in physician service to nursing homes (89 per cent) and in availability of inpatient geriatric units (94 per cent). Responding hospitals have targeted for development by 1985 geriatric inpatient units (17 per cent), respite care (16 per cent), and hospice care (16 per cent). The financial implications of the survey results are discussed with respect to prospective reimbursement and public health implications.