Health visiting older people: just a luxury?

Older people's health is a high priority in public health policy, yet evidence suggests that health visitors skills are often directed to younger client groups. Reports on an exploratory, qualitative, grounded theory study which aims to generate further understanding of health visitors' perceptions of the potential scope of their role with older people. Six in-depth individual interviews were conducted with practicing health visitors who were holding generic case-loads. The results are analysed in terms of health visitor exposure; the nature of health visiting practice; perceived effectiveness and individual role perception. Looks at the implications of the findings for individual practitioners, organisational policy and for the educational preparation of health visitors for work with older people.