Assessing the needs of the elderly using unsolicited visits by health visitors.

Thirty-five percent of patients over 70 years old who received an unsolicited visit by a health visitor were found to have previously unidentified needs. In all, 71% of the 110 patients surveyed were found to have problems involving mobility, communication or caring for themselves. Most of their needs were social ones. It was concluded that unsolicited visiting by health visitors was efficient use of time by members of the primary health care team. Changes in practice administration are suggested to improve access to medical care for elderly patients.