An innovative method of government surveillance of services for the aged in Israel

Explains the conceptual framework behind and the foundation and implementation of the regulation, assessment, follow-up (RAF) method, and continuous improvement of quality of care in the Israeli Government surveillance of long-term care institutions. The RAF method has made crucial changes in the goals, tasks and tools of surveillance and in therapeutic approaches to the elderly. The "maintenance approach" has been replaced by a "rehabilitative approach" bringing about a real improvement in the quality of care in institutions. Presents selected findings from an evaluation of the RAF method's use in the surveillance system operated by the Israeli Service for The Aged of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.