Mathematical models for planning social services resources

Abstract

This research discusses a number of computer-based mathematical models which are designed to assist planners to make strategic decisions concerning the allocations of social services resources. A new model is postulated which uses current patterns of care to derive a set of alternative modes or packages of care, chooses a suitable set of allocations of clients to packages of care within given resource constraints and can be used to explore the effect on resource requirements of demographic changes, and to explore alternative ways of caring for clients if populations expand and/or resources are reduced. Comparisons are made with the DHSS Balance of Care model and with other models. An exploration is included of the weighting values used in the postulated model’s objective function.