Since many health and social care systems around the world are currently unable to deliver long-term care services and support to older people who need it, World Health Organization (WHO) has released a new Framework for countries to develop or strengthen an integrated continuum of long-term care.
People who achieve older age are likely to need care and support from others at some point. Such needs may arise suddenly, as a consequence of an acute problem or event, or may develop gradually over time.
PHOTOGRAPH WHO
The framework was developed in consistency with the existing strategy, action plan and frameworks on healthy ageing, and was based on the latest evidence and consultations with a range of stakeholders including WHO’s expert advisory group, Global Network on Long-term Care.
WHO aims to provide guidance to countries in assessing system-level components to implement sustainable and equitable long-term care actions through the framework. By applying this framework, governments and policymakers can have a checklist which helps to assess existing long-term care systems, identify potential gaps, and ultimately help in planning for next universal health coverage programmes:
WHO (2022), ‘WHO launches new framework to support countries achieve integrated continuum of long-term care’.
