Table 1 Challenges of long-term care management emphasized in international policy documents

Integrated Care

“Services need to be delivered across organisational boundaries, with clear access points and pathways” p.5

“More attention to introducing measures that will make different services work more effectively together” p.12

“Multidisciplinary care, adapted to the needs of each individual, their families and caregivers” p.55

“Provide support to relatives, enabling them to continue to provide help and support for elderly people” p.20

“Addressing the growing need for long-term care requires a comprehensive vision” p.1

· within organization

· between organizations

· with informal care

Productivity Management

“Improving service system efficiency for service users with complex needs by taking a ‘whole-system’ approach” p.3

“ A preventive approach, integration and use of ICT help to keep costs under control” p.10

“High quality services…and make them financially sustainable” p.55

“Mitigate the potential cost pressures related to long-term care” p.14

“With rising costs, seeking better value for money in long-term care must be a priority” p.7

· financial sustainability

· efficiency of care

Quality Management

“Maximising older people’s quality of life, independence and control” p.3

“A focus on more comprehensive quality assurance involving issues such as patients’ rights” p.7

“A quality of care assurance system should be implemented” p.55

“Higher expectations that the final few years of life must have” p.1

· quality assurance system

· setting the goals

· assessment the quality

Workforce Management

“Workforce development to train people in new approaches – for example, working in networks and partnerships” p.31

“Attracting the right personnel, especially given the medical and social care expertise required” p.15

“Strengthening capacity building in training of professionals working with older people“ p.54

“Higher turnover . endanger both access and quality of services.” p.5 “Delegation of tasks” p.5

· training

· stability and accessibility

· division of labor

ICT Management

“Developing effective shared IT and information systems as part of the infrastructure to integrated care?” p.31

“Effective promotion of care.requires the efficient use of ICT”. p.11

“Technological aids have to be gradually incorporated in all aspects of care” p.55

“The use of ICT to reduce indirect workload” p.5

· technology aid

· care process tools

· management tools