Establishing need for and designing information systems supporting decentralized services for the elderly: the case of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.

Leaders of senior social services in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, have reevaluated home-delivered meals (HDM) for the elderly in light of demographic and economic changes. A recommendation was the establishment of an integrated information system aiding policy and provider-level users in coordinating and planning numerous services, including HDM. The first step is the establishment of computerized geographic information and decision support systems. Further integration of a unified client database would enhance the capabilities of this information system in coordinating services for seniors. These possibilities, along with value-based and administrative challenges to constructing a countywide information system, are discussed.