[Health care needs and health care organization for citizens of advanced age].
In order to improve the health and well-being of the elderly, it is necessary to develop and assess care programs for the elderly within existing health and social services. An epidemiological approach in assessing the functional health and autonomy are described using the concepts of disability and handicap (according ICIDH). A design for estimating need and for identifying high-risk groups in a population survey are presented.