Intermediate care: An important contribution to integrate care for older people , in Osona.

Abstract

Geriatric care, has been playing a key role in the integration of services. Development of intermediate care is a good example. In modern hospitals alternative services to hospitalization had been developed, especially those for elderly patients who are the main users of hospitals. There is an internationally significant interest to create services that occupy the virtual space between primary and hospital care, which is known as intermediate care. The main functions of intermediate care is to provide different options to hospitalization, like preventing admission or easing discharge. The process should last less than 6 weeks and can take place in hospital or at home.