Psychogeriatrics and community care.

The meaning of community care, as at present organised for the elderly mentally ill, is examined critically. It is argued that often the phrase is used to conceal the deficiencies of traditional institutional facilities, for which community care is apt to be regarded as a cheap substitute. It is suggested that it would be beneficial to have available true community care, capable of providing a full-time service to patients in their own homes, in preference to institutional facilities. Though such a scheme would benefit patients, it would have implications for the community discordant with present official attitudes.