Primary care and the older person with complex needs: reflections on the implementation of a primary–secondary model of integrated care

Abstract

The demand and complexity of the health needs of older people is growing. Traditionally siloed, condition-centric care is no longer appropriate. It is costly to the Australian health system and life-threatening to the individual. In parallel to demographic change is increasing global awareness of the impact of social, behavioural, and environmental factors on health outcomes. Although significant when not addressed, the amenable nature of many personal contextual factors is an opportunity to improve health and quality of life. A move away from reactive, episodic models of health care delivery towards patient focussed integrated care is required to meet the changing demands of an aging population. This forum article provides a reflection on the current state of integration for older people with complex needs through the lens of a local community facing model: OPEN ARCH. Australia still has some way to go to establishing system level enablers for an integrated approach to care. However, the OPEN ARCH experience furthers the evidence for ground-up approaches of integrated care that can meet the increasing demand and complexity of older people’s needs.