A decision support system called "MATCH" will be developed to assist in recommending the most appropriate housing option(s) for elderly persons. Phase I will address congregate care facilities. The computer program will incorporate multimedia technologies including an expert system, hypertext and graphics. The system will be built for an IBM PC compatible computer and is intended to be used by personnel working in agencies and organizations that assist the elderly and their caregivers. It will provide users of varying levels of experience with a means of making consistent, reliable recommendations based on complex factors and needs, and allow them to quickly access a comprehensive information base. The program will provide an innovative and effective way to assist with a decision making process that is complex and often confusing. The system will be developed as a "shell" that can be used by agencies in other counties who want to incorporate their own information base.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:Potential users include a wide variety of public and private sector organizations, such as local area Agencies on Aging, state Departments on Aging, United Way agencies, retirement communities, private geriatric care managers, hospitals with senior membership programs, financial planners and employee benefits administrators.National Institute on Aging (NIA)
