[A study of the health services and needs of the elderly (SENSORG)].

Our department was approached by various welfare organisations who experienced problems with the placing of the frail elderly in suitable homes. The SENCARE project was planned to ascertain the health needs of the white and coloured elderly living in old-age homes and in the community and to identify the existing health services available to them by using the questionnaire method of measurement. The study was done in 3 phases: phase I in an urban area, phase II in a large rural town and phase III in 5 small rural towns. In the urban area too many healthy white elderly people live in old-age homes. The availability of services is poorer in the rural areas. In all 3 phases social and economic impairment is the major cause of dependence in both the white and coloured elderly population groups.