Older people's definitions of quality services
How do older people define quality services, and what results do they wish to achieve?
This study discusses the meaning of quality and draws together literature on older people’s definitions of quality services. The authors discuss evidence about the impact on older people’s quality of life, the changes or improvements that may be needed to achieve this, and the effects of the way in which services are delivered.
They discuss the implications for service delivery and for older people's involvement in quality assessment and quality assurance. Finally, they outline an agenda for possible future research; this aims to fill gaps in our knowledge and to emphasise the centrality of older people’s views in underpinning future developments in the area of quality.