Jacek Klich

The aim of the paper is to identify key determinants of effective implementation of innovations in respect to assisted living ecosystems for the elderly. Desk-study as a method was used and EBSCO (including Medline), ScienceDirect, Open Knowledge Repository, and BazEkon databases were researched. The scope of ageing and its key economic and social consequences are portrayed at the beginning. Then main categories of seniors’ needs are presented. Consequently the main ways innovations and new technologies can respond to these needs are identified accompanied by senior citizens’ particular attitude toward new technologies, especially ICT. Then Gerontechnology is presented not only as an important social innovation, but also as a leverage for more effective implementation of innovations and modern technologies in active and assisted living for seniors. The article ends with identification of three key success factors for effective implementation of innovations and new technologies by independently living seniors.

The aim of the paper is to identify main directions in reforming national health care systems from the point of view of the role of the state as a principal in health care systems (with a special emphasis on EU countries). It is argued in the paper that between 1995 and 2010 in majority of the EU member states a slow but persistent trend of withdrawal of the state from financing health care systems can be observed. Kutzin’s insurance function is being continuously reduced. Among other consequences it leads toward increasing the share of private and out of the pocket expenses in total expenses on health. This relates especially to new EU post communist member states.

The aim of the article is to identify main challenges the Act on Healthcare Activity of 2011 poses in respekt to local governments which  act as founding bodies of independent health care units. The scope of the problem of transformation of independent health care units into  limited liability companies  is presented  from  quantitative, financial, competencies and information  perspectives. The article shows that an establishment of new limited liability company imposes additional tasks upon a local  government. Apart from financing the whole process of transformation, local governments have to develop financial and organizational restructurisation plans for newly created limited liability  companies as well as strategies aimed not only at survival but also expansion of new companies. It is concluded that there is a shortage of publications focusing on next steps of development of newly created limited liability  companies.