Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Social care and older prisoners
- Author:
- WILLIAMS John
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work, 13(5), 2013, pp.471-491.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Summary: This article reviews the evidence available on the treatment of older prisoners within England and Wales who are the fastest growing group within prisons. It concentrates on the lack of available social care facilities for older prisoners. Many older prisoners have special needs that are not met within prison, mainly because of the ‘sameness’ principle that is applied. Social care is as important to older prisoners as their health care. Although some social care may be available to older prisoners, it is not provided within the legal framework that applies to older people outside of prison. This article argues that the general legal obligation to provide social care (imperfect though it may be), should also be applied within the prison setting. Findings: Based on the evidence available, older prisoners are often unable to access social care services within prison. This is a breach of international obligations entered into by the United Kingdom. It may also breach the European Convention of Human Rights. The article argues that existing legislation does not prevent older prisoners from accessing social care services. The sameness principle discriminates against older prisoners. Mental health, physical disability, and incontinence are all areas where older prisoners lack access to services available to older people outside of prison. Applications: Considerable progress has been made in raising the profile of older prisoners. However, more needs to be done to embed the social care needs older prisoners may have into the prison system. The ordinary residence rule, the National Service Framework and the Fair Access to Care guidance must be adapted to meet the needs of serving prisoners as well as those preparing for release. Attitudes need to change. There needs to be a willingness to meet the international and domestic legal obligations towards older prisoners. (Publisher abstract)
Assessment without action; a randomised evaluation of the interRAI home care compared to a national assessment tool on identification of needs and service provision for older people in New Zealand
- Authors:
- PARSONS Matthew, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 21(5), 2013, p.536–544.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is considered the cornerstone of good practice, as it identifies need across multiple domains such as social, physical and psychological. The interRAI home care (interRAI-HC), probably the most well-researched and supported community-based CGA has been implemented globally, often at considerable expense. Policy-makers, managers and clinicians anticipate significant gains in health outcomes following such investment; however, the implementation of CGA is often undertaken in the absence of community service development. This study sought to compare the interRAI-HC with an existing CGA [the Support Needs Assessment (SNA)] in community-dwelling older people. A randomised controlled trial was undertaken from January 2006 to January 2007 comparing the interRAI-HC and the SNA in 316 people (65+) referred for assessment of needs with follow-up at 1 and 4 months. Outcomes included health-related quality of life, physical function, social support, cognitive status, mood and health service usage as well as identified need. The study found that significantly more support needs were identified using the interRAI-HC compared to the SNA. More social and carer support were recommended by SNA and more rehabilitation and preventive health screens were recommended by interRAI-HC. Despite these differences, the mean healthcare use was similar at 4 months, although interRAI-HC participants had more Emergency Department presentations and hospital admissions. No statistically significant differences between groups were reported in terms of outcomes. In conclusion, the interRAI-HC was found to identify more unmet support needs than the SNA though resulted in no favourable outcomes for the older person or their carer. The study highlights the need to invest attention around the service context to maximise outcomes based on identified needs. (Publisher abstract)
Achieving age equality in health and social care
- Author:
- BERNARD Caroline
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 17(1), 2013, pp.19-24.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose – The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the Achieving Age Equality Toolkit, to give the background to its development, and to advise readers of the ways in which it has already been successful in the health and social care arena. Design/methodology/approach – The subject of this paper is the ban on age discrimination in goods and services that came into force on 1 October 2012. The objectives of the paper are achieved by setting out the policy context, and by detailing how the age equality recommendations were made through an independent review. Findings – Older people have different experiences of health and social care services, but most want to be able to access support when they need it. Age as a barrier to treatment and screening in areas such as mental health and cancer continue to give cause for concern. Organisations need to ensure they are working in an “age equal” way across services. Research limitations/implications – Implications for further research could include an assessment of the extent of “institutional ageism” in services after the ban on age discrimination in goods and services on 1 October 2012. Practical implications – The article illustrates through case studies how use of the toolkit enables one organisation to better identify where changes are needed towards embedding anti age discrimination practice. Social implications – As well as obeying legal requirements, ending age discrimination in health and social care requires a change in hearts and minds towards encouraging society to think differently about the ways in which older people are supported by health and social care services. Originality/value – Since the review, there have been repeated cases of age discrimination in goods and services, illustrating the need for change. (Publisher abstract)
Opportunity knocks: exploring the links between day opportunities and equal opportunities
- Authors:
- MANTHORPE Jill, MORIARTY Jo
- Journal article citation:
- Practice: Social Work in Action, 25(5), 2013, pp.317-333.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The term ‘day opportunities’ is used in the context of personalisation in England to refer to alternatives to day centres. This article employs the lens of legislation on equalities to comment on access to day opportunities by different groups of eligible older people. It reports and discusses findings from a scoping review of the literature conducted in 2012 and updated in 2013 which searched for research and ‘grey literature’ material. Findings from the scoping review are presented using the different elements of the Equalities Act 2010. The authors conclude that social workers need to be aware of definitions when describing what is being suggested as part of a support plan or reviewed in the context of desired outcomes. Attention is drawn to the need to think about levels of needs and access to any day opportunity. Social workers are well placed to identify whether these changes have a differential impact on certain groups. This exploration of the literature on user experiences and outcomes from day opportunities may be helpful to social work practice and scholarship. (Publisher abstract)
Integrated assessment, planning and review arrangements for older people: guidance for professionals in supporting the health, care and well-being of older people
- Authors:
- WALES. Welsh Government, NHS WALES
- Publisher:
- Welsh Government
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 60
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
The Welsh Government has set out its requirements for integrated health and social care in ‘A framework for delivering integrated health and social care for older people with complex needs’ (2013). This guidance sets out a process for delivering integrated assessment processes, and is a key part of implementing the overall framework. It replaces the Unified Assessment Process (UAP) in its application to people aged 65 years and over. It covers the duties and functions of local authorities and Local Health Boards (LHBs) to promote the well-being, assessment, care and support planning and review arrangements for services for people aged 65 and over. This is irrespective of presenting need, disability or condition and supports access to care and support in the community. This guidance is to apply in any situation where older people need help from the NHS or a local authority to: maintain or promote well-being; regain or maintain independence; be discharged from hospital; return or continue to live in their own home; secure appropriate residential or nursing care; help protect them from abuse and neglect; and help them manage continuing health conditions. The guidance also covers sharing information and issues such as fair access to care services eligibility criteria. (Edited publisher abstract)
Fair access to care services (FACS): prioritising eligibility for care and support
- Author:
- SOCIAL CARE INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE
- Publisher:
- Social Care Institute for Excellence
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Place of publication:
- London
This updated Guide refreshes SCIE’s 2010 Practice Guide ‘Facts about FACS’, on good practice in applying current policy on assessment and deciding eligibility. It takes account of changes in the policy, resource and practice environments since 2010, including the strong emphasis on more integrated working with the NHS. And it makes links to the new provisions of the Care Bill, due to begin implementation in 2015. Key practice points for practitioners, general practitioner, care commissioning groups and health wellbeing boards are presented. The Guide will be helpful to social workers and social care staff taking part in the assessment process, and also GPs and other NHS staff who are increasingly engaged in joint assessment and commissioning. (Edited publisher abstract)
Conceptualizing age-friendly community characteristics in a sample of urban elders: an exploratory factor analysis
- Authors:
- SMITH Richard J., LEHNING Amanda J., DUNKLE Ruth E.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 56(2), 2013, pp.90-111.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Age-friendly communities may help older adults to remain in their own homes and neighbourhoods and out of long-term care institutions. However, accurate conceptualisation and measurement of age-friendly community characteristics are currently lacking. The aim of this study was to measure the social and physical environmental characteristics of an age-friendly community through an exploratory factor analysis of items reflecting an existing US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) policy framework. The EPA framework organises characteristics of age-friendly communities into 4 categories: staying active, connected and engaged; neighbourhoods and housing; transportation and mobility; and access to healthy activities. Data for the exploratory factor analysis came from the City of Detroit Needs Assessment of Older Adults using a sample of 1,376 urban elders. This data was combined with business and service location data in order to calculate the number of amenities within walking distance. The findings identified 6 factors associated with demographic and health characteristics. Three of the factors related to the respondents’ physical environments: access to business and leisure, access to health care, and neighbourhood problems. The other 3 factors reflected the individual’s social environment: social interaction, social support, and community engagement. Future research should explore the effects of these factors across contexts and populations.
Mental wellbeing of older people in care homes: QS 50
- Author:
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CARE EXCELLENCE
- Publisher:
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Place of publication:
- London
This quality standard covers the mental wellbeing of older people (65 years and over) receiving care in all care home settings, including residential and nursing accommodation, day care and respite care. This quality standard uses a broad definition of mental wellbeing, and includes life satisfaction, optimism, self-esteem, feeling in control, having a purpose in life, and a sense of belonging and support. The standard outlines six quality statements: participation in meaningful activity; personal identity; recognition of mental health conditions; recognition of sensory impairment; recognition of physical problems and access to health care services. (Edited publisher abstract)