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Ageism and age discrimination in social care in the United Kingdom: a review from the literature
- Author:
- CLARK Angela
- Publisher:
- Centre for Policy on Ageing
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 59p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
The Department of Health (DH) commissioned the Centre for Policy on Ageing (CPA) to undertake a literature review to determine whether older people in the United Kingdom are treated less favourably than younger users of social care in the way resources are allocated, needs are assessed, care is planned and services are delivered. This study looks at all aspects of the potential for ageism and age discrimination in adult social care including institutional and individual ageism and age discrimination; quality and level of services; direct and indirect discrimination; differential levels of funding; attitudes of professional staff; and evidence reflected in the attitudes and views of service users. This is one of four CPA literature reviews on ageism commissioned by the DH. It is a rapid semi systematic literature review and not a systematic review.
Does age matter in the social care workforce?
- Authors:
- LIPMAN Valerie, MANTHORPE Jill, HARRIS Jess
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Long-Term Care, September 2018, pp.1-11. Online only
- Publisher:
- King's College London
- Place of publication:
- London
Context: With the population in England ageing, more people are living with complex physical and mental health needs and need care and support. As a result demand for care workers is increasing. Objective: This paper presents findings from qualitative research in England that aimed to explore the perspectives of frontline care workers, their managers and service users about what difference the age of the care workforce potentially makes at an individual, organisational or workforce level. Method: Interviews, semi-structured and face to face, in four local authority sites in England. Findings: Age plays a role in the perceived character of the care workforce. A commonly-held view is that life experience is one of the most valuable qualities a care worker brings to their role. While experience is generally valued, it may be framed as experience in care work, or more generally as life experience. Younger care workers may be often seen by older colleagues and service users as less reliable until they prove themselves. However, managers often identify enthusiasm and ability to accommodate change among younger care staff. Managers are interested in having an ‘age mix’ of staff beyond retention and sustainability issues. Limitations: The authors acknowledge the risk that the interview data may not be generalisable or totally representative of staff or care users; the study did not include directly employed care workers nor collect health-related information or personal narratives. Those employers who agreed to participate may be more committed to workforce development and value their staff. Nonetheless data are sector-wide and there are sizeable numbers of participants. Moreover, the views of users of social care and family carers are also included. Implications: The article provides views from a range of stakeholders in social care on whether age matters in this workforce. Instances of age discrimination or stereotypes affecting different ages were reported but also the opportunities in social care work for people to work in later life and to move to this work after other work or family experiences. The age of the social care workforce needs to be considered as part of workforce planning, tailoring skills development and value-based work commitment among all age groups, reducing physical demands, and providing flexible working conditions. (Edited 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)
This is a job for social care
- Author:
- HUNTER Mark
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 18.9.08, 2008, pp.30-31.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Depression among older people often goes untreated. Reasons for poor treatment include low referral rate, age discrimination within services, the separation of mental health services for adults and older people, and the increasing medicalisation of mental health services. The author highlights social care's role in restabilising older people's links with communities and improving their access to support services.
Age equality and age discrimination in social care: an interim practice guide
- Author:
- SOCIAL CARE INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE
- Publisher:
- Social Care Institute for Excellence
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 34p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This practice guide, commissioned by the Department of Health, supports the promotion of age equality and the elimination of age discrimination in adult social care. Three broad principles underpin an age equality strategy for adult social care: citizenship - each individual, regardless of their age, is a full and equal citizen; equity - people have a right to expect fairness, regardless of age; and sustainability - systems should be put in place to maintain the quality of service provision and practice for people of all ages. Topics include: involving older people, promoting social inclusion, developing personalised services, leadership, equal access, equitable resource allocation and maintaining the quality of older people's services.
A social work perspective on how ageist language, discourses and understandings negatively frame older people and why taking a critical social work stance is essential
- Author:
- DUFFY Francis
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 47(7), 2017, pp.2068-2085.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
As populations age around the globe, social workers will have more and more contact with older people, particularly in the practice fields of health care and social care services. Language and dominant discourses associated with older people and ageing in politics, in the media and other institutions are often underpinned by ageism and fail to convey accurate accounts and understandings of ageing issues. In response to how this pervasive ageism plays out in health care and social care services practice settings, this paper argues that all social workers urgently ought to move beyond conventional social work, which is most dominant in practice, and embrace more aspects of critical social work in relation to ageing societies and working with older people. This is necessary to identify, critique and challenge ill-informed and oppressive language, labels and discourses used to describe older people and explain ageing issues. Embedding gerontological social work as core learning in social work education is essential to social work achieving what is required to achieve these goals. (Publisher abstract)
Contracts and commissioning: what’s happening to social care services for black and minority ethnic older people
- Author:
- LIPMAN Valerie
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 19(2), 2015, pp.85-93.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore current provision of targeted social care services for the growing populations of Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) older people in England and Wales. Design/methodology/approach: This was a mixed study. Following a review of the policy and research literature, 12 semi-structured interviews were undertaken in 2013/2014. Most participants were recruited from BAME policy and service provider organisations and organisations focusing on older people. Findings: There is some evidence that BAME voluntary organisations are experiencing disproportionately greater funding cuts than mainstream voluntary service providers: moreover some mainstream providers reported reducing services targeted at BAME older people, while others expressed the view that choices for BAME older people are likely to become more limited following recent health and equalities policy changes. Practical implications: Practitioners should contribute to data collection about protected characteristics, such as race/ethnicity to establish if BAME older people’s needs are being assessed equitably, whether access to care and support is easy; and how market-shaping at local levels can ensure a range of providers. Originality/value: This study provides an overview of voluntary sector provision for the growing numbers of BAME older people in need of care and support that should be useful to practitioners and service commissioners. (Publisher abstract)
Achieving age equality in Welsh health and social care services
- Authors:
- MORGAN Gareth, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Generations Review, 22(4), October 2012, Online only
- Publisher:
- British Society of Gerontology
Briefly reports on the findings of a scoping exercise which gathered the views of professionals in 7 Welsh Health Boards, 22 Local Authority and 27 other organisations on their awareness of, and attitudes to, UK government age equality legislation. Questions included whether this would have a direct impact on respondents own job/role; whether the organisations were ready to implement this legislation; barriers to implementation, and whether the legislative framework will have an impact on attitudes and behaviours to ageing.
Age equality in health and social care: a consultation on preparing the NHS and social care in England for the age requirements in the Equality Bill that affect the provision of services and exercise of public functions
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Department of Health
- Publisher:
- Great Britain. Department of Health
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 37p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This consultation paper sets out recommendations on non-legislative action that the Department of Health (DH), and the National Health Service (NHS) and social care more generally, should take to prepare for the introduction of the new Equality Bill. which introduces a new equality duty and a ban on age discrimination to the public sector. Comments on the proposals in this consultation paper, the impact assessment and equality impact assessment are invited to be submitted to DH by 15 February 2010.
When I get older: executive summary; what people want from social care services as they get older
- Author:
- COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL CARE INSPECTION
- Publisher:
- Commission for Social Care Inspection
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 3p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report shows that people today looking ahead to older age have high expectations of the social care services they might receive. They strongly value independence and choice. They would choose to receive care intheir own homes rather than move into a care environment. And they want services that suit their needs and respect their rights. People clearly want rigorous inspection of social care services, too. They want frequent inspections, with little or no notice given to those responsible for the service. However, they also want inspections to be carried out differently, they want the balance to shift more towards talking to the people using the service and their families, and spending time simply observing what goes on, and away from checking paperwork. Britain’s population is ageing and people are living longer than ever before. The largest group of adult users of social care is people aged 65 or over, an age group that is predicted to increase by 43 per cent by 2026. Demographic trends and people’s expectations pose an urgent challenge to everyone involved in developing social care policy, in planning and delivering services, and in inspecting and regulating those services