Placement of the elderly.

Placement of the elderly involves the person, family, treating professionals and those professionals who will provide future care. It must be based on accurate assessment of the person's abilities, interests and care needs. It requires knowledge of possible community support services and residential care facilities. The person must recognize, accept and adjust to the care needs and as far as possible, be allowed the final decision on placement. This requires that he or she be fully informed and given time to consider. There is often competition for resources; a system is needed to ensure identification of the optimal resource for each individual, equitable access to resources according to a recognized priority rating, and a certainty that every person will find a place appropriate to his need.