THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR IN NONINSTITUTIONAL LONG-TERM-CARE PROGRAMS

Non-institutional long-term care is a broad, poorly defined, rapidly d eveloping field. The need for it, the technologic ability to provide i t, and the amount of money spent on it are all growing. Reconciling th e public's reluctance to support social programs with the inevitable o verlap of social and medical needs in the care of the frail elderly pr esents a serious challenge in formulating policy. Medical directors of programs in non-institutional longterm care will have to face governm ental constraints and will be responsible for developing and implement ing new policy in the future.