Prevention in the elderly: Focus on functioning in daily life

With old age come ailments, and often one or more chronic diseases. In this case treatment does not always mean cure, but often preventing worse, by combating and reducing the effects. This may require different care from what is currently being offered. With this in mind, the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport asked the Health Council of the Netherlands how ‘prevention and proactivity might play a significant role’ in the effective and efficient care for the elderly. This care must lead to, among other things, ‘a decreased burden of disease, better functioning and less disability’. This advisory report outlines how these questions may be answered. It supports the focus on functioning in daily life, but points out that a great deal is still necessary if this intention is to be realised.