Despite many directives promoting the involvement of older people in planning and evaluating services that are provided for them, relatively little is known about what older people themselves think about such involvement. The standards are designed by advisory groups who have been invited to take part in planning and monitoring the process of implementation for the standards.
Despite many directives promoting the involvement of older people in planning and evaluating services that are provided for them, relatively little is known about what older people themselves think about such involvement. The standards are designed by advisory groups who have been invited to take part in planning and monitoring the process of implementation for the standards.
Extended abstract:
AuthorAGE CONCERN
Title
Involving older people: in setting standards for day services
Publisher
Age Concern, 2005
Summary
This report sets out the findings of a research project carried out by Age Concern Norfolk between April 2001 and September 2002 supporting older people in designing quality standards and initiatives for day centre services.
Context
Despite many directives promoting the involvement of older people in planning and evaluating services that are provided for them, relatively little is known about what older people themselves think about such involvement.
Method
Contents
An executive summary begins with an introduction stating that older people remain largely excluded from participation in planning and policy decision-making processes, and that relatively little is known about how they feel about being involved or about what they perceive as successful outcomes of such involvement. It then gives the research aims: to involve older people, including service users, in defining the criteria for quality day centre services; to involve them in devising methods for assessing services; and to gain a greater understanding of the contributions older people are willing to and able to make in service planning and evaluation. The methodology is explained, and summarises specific findings: recruitment of non-service users was fare more difficult than recruitment of service users; verbal explanation and presentation was far more valuable in recruitment than written explanation; involving older people in rural areas generated complex planning arrangements; meetings are also a social event: refreshments and getting together can be an important part; appropriate encouragement and support will help facilitate involvement; and relaxed and friendly surroundings and adequate transport arrangements are essential. The main part of the report has an introduction giving the aims, rationale, background and context. Theoretical underpinning and methods are described. General findings and observations and evaluation findings – the views of participants – are given. The report ends with conclusions, outcomes, and an endnote. Appendices give the Norfolk Older People's Forum Evaluation Report, July 2002 and the Advisory Group Participants Report, August 2002.
Findings
Conclusion
Engaging older people in rewarding and worthwhile involvement processes is essential if feelings of tokenism are to be avoided. The findings support previous studies refuting assumptions often made about physically frail older people being unable to make a major impact on service planning. The participants' proposals for day centre quality standards and initiatives were accepted by Age Concern Norfolk's Care Services management team and a strategy and time frame for implementation agreed. The standards were implemented throughout CAN day centre services during 2003. The strengths of a democratic approach to involvement were highlighted. Interest in service planning and development decision-making among even frail older people, and particularly their ability, willingness and commitment to deal with complex issues, should not be underestimated.
19 references
Subject terms:
older people, standards, user participation, day services;
Age UK, the largest independent sector provider of day services to older people in England, have developed this research to share with providers, commissioners and funders. The resource is a generic set of standards that apply to day care. Providers are encouraged to adopt the standards to suit the particular services they offer. The standards are arranged in seven sections, structured according to six outcomes in the Commission for Social Care Inspection framework with an additional outcome for carers: living the life I choose; being a valued member of the community; being treated with dignity and respect; feeling safe and secure; being healthy; enjoying economic well-being; and enjoying a break from caring. The primary measure for the standards is that service users are satisfied that the standard is being met. After the standards, this resource provides a checklist that providers may find useful to collect and monitor.
Age UK, the largest independent sector provider of day services to older people in England, have developed this research to share with providers, commissioners and funders. The resource is a generic set of standards that apply to day care. Providers are encouraged to adopt the standards to suit the particular services they offer. The standards are arranged in seven sections, structured according to six outcomes in the Commission for Social Care Inspection framework with an additional outcome for carers: living the life I choose; being a valued member of the community; being treated with dignity and respect; feeling safe and secure; being healthy; enjoying economic well-being; and enjoying a break from caring. The primary measure for the standards is that service users are satisfied that the standard is being met. After the standards, this resource provides a checklist that providers may find useful to collect and monitor.
Subject terms:
older people, service users, standards, commissioning, day services;