Gains in life expectancy refer to the present, not some distant future. The authors of this editorial also discuss other misunderstandings that occur around the usage of life expectancy for an outcomes measure. They comment that improving the quality of life may be as important as lengthening the quantity of life. As a Vehicle for Delivering More Effective Chronic Care for Older Persons. One of the unexpected and unplanned consequences of a longer life expectancy has been the number of years an individual lives with chronic illness.
Chronic disease requires both acute and long term care services.
Previously, the lines were distinct between acute care services and long term care. Medicare now covers services in a variety of settings including hospital, home care, and institutional long term care. Treatment for chronic disease takes over 76 percent of every health care dollar. While discussions often are held around the idea that prevention of chronic disease is the key, data have not been collected on the fragmented system of chronic care delivery. The author suggests that managed care could offer a vehicle for bringing this fragmented system together and thereby offer a more comprehensive system of cost-effective care.