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Integrating housing with care for older people
- Author:
- BLOOD Imogen
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Integrated Care, 21(4), 2013, pp.178-187.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose – The research explored the way in which different services, providers and other key players work together in housing with care (HWC) schemes and the impact of this on the quality of life of the older people living in them, especially those with high support needs. Methods – This qualitative study included interviews with 47 residents and five relatives at 19 private and not-for-profit schemes across the UK and 52 professionals from provider, statutory and other relevant organisations. Findings – Most participants were very satisfied with the services in HWC but a third described problems linked to “boundary” issues, where gaps, delays or confusion had arisen at the interface between teams, organisations or professional groups. Gaps often occurred where tasks were relatively small: they affected the quality of life of older people with high support needs but did not necessarily outweigh the benefits of living in HWC. Practical implications – We identify ways of improving integrated working in HWC and beyond. The paper is relevant to those commissioning and providing services to older people and to all those with an interest in integrating care and housing. Originality/value – This is the first UK-wide, cross-sector study to focus specifically on the boundaries between roles and responsibilities and their impact on residents in HWC. (Publisher abstract)
A better life: valuing our later years
- Author:
- BLOOD Imogen
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 91
- Place of publication:
- York
In 2009, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation launched the five-year programme A Better Life, to explore what can help older people with high support needs to improve their quality of life (and what ‘quality of life’ means for them) now and in the future. This book was commissioned by JRF to draw out and reflect on the key messages from this body of work. A recurring theme in the programme is that ageing is about all of us; it is everyone’s business, not just those working in care homes, commissioning health and care services, or developing government policies and programmes. The book quotes the personal experiences of individual older people, and asks why it is that personal identity risks getting overlooked at this stage of life. It looks specifically at how they can contribute to the development of the supportive relationships, which older people with high support needs value. It considers the messages about what ‘choice’, ‘control’ and ‘independence’ mean to people as they get older. A concluding chapter summarises key messages and draws together the practical ideas for change that were introduce throughout the report, starting with old age is not about ‘them’: it is about all of us. Older people are individuals, and as a group, they are becoming more diverse. Relationships matter to us whatever our age: we have a fundamental human need to connect with others meaningfully. Older people with high support needs have many assets, strengths and resources; and whatever our age or support needs, we should all be treated as citizens: the individual and collective voices of older people with high support needs should be heard and given power. A short paper is also available that summarises the key messages from JRF’s ‘A better life’ programme of work. (Edited publisher abstract)