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Better homes, better lives: leaders' briefing
- Authors:
- SKIDMORE C., PORTEUS J.
- Publisher:
- Research in Practice
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Place of publication:
- Dartington
This briefing paper looks at the future demographic challenge to health and social care systems through the lens of housing for older people. It aims to support leaders in making best use of the information available to inform discussions and decisions about housing options with key partners locally. It also aims to support the development of solutions that meet the needs of the future social care population in local areas. (Edited publisher abstract)
Ageing with a unique impairment: a systematically conducted review of older deafblind people's experiences
- Author:
- SIMCOCK Peter
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 37(8), 2017, pp.1703-1742.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Little is known about the experiences of people ageing with impairments; social gerontology has largely focused on those ageing into disability rather than those ageing with disability. This paper synthesises existing knowledge to determine what is known about the experiences of those ageing with deafblindness. A comprehensive literature search was undertaken between April 2013 and May 2014. The review method was informed by systematic review principles. A total of 24 references were identified for inclusion. No studies examining deafblind people's experience of ageing and old age specifically were found, suggesting that those ageing with deafblindness are an under-studied sub-group within the deafblind population. However, deafblind people describe ageing experiences in studies exploring their lives generally, and in personal accounts of living with the impairment. Practitioner-authored material also explores the topic. Similarities in experience were identified between those ageing with deafblindness and those ageing with other impairments: ongoing change and consequent need for adaptation; a particular relationship between ageing and impairment; a sense that whilst one can learn adaptive strategies having lived with impairment for many years, it does not necessarily get easier; and a particular relationship with care and support services. These experiences illustrate the unique nature of ageing with impairment, and challenge gerontologists to engage in further research and theorising in the field of disability in later life. (Publisher abstract)
Perceptions of difference between aging and disability service systems consumers: implications for policy initiatives to rebalance long-term care
- Author:
- PUTNAM Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 54(3), April 2011, pp.325-342.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Since 2001, federal long-term care rebalancing initiatives have pushed forward deinstitutionalisation of long-term care, in part by moving towards financial parity for home and community-based services. This study aimed to explore service professionals' perceptions regarding the diverse needs within the long-term care service sector of older adults and younger persons with disabilities. Variance in perceptions may affect how professionals carry out rebuilding efforts and therefore may affect the success of this policy implementation. The study involved semi-structured interviews in 2002 to 2004 with 55 professionals working with aging, developmental disability, and physical disability service networks in a mid-western state. The participants identified 3 major themes: the need for differences in service and programme aims based on life stage; the variance in nature and delivery of service related to age and disability type; and lack of professional and organisational capacity to support multiple consumer populations. The findings suggest professionals working within the 3 networks believe significant distinctions exist related to the age of clients and nature of service required and how it is delivered. Implications for the implementation of the rebalancing policies are discussed.
Exploring how manufacturers, suppliers and retailers address the needs of older and disabled people: what are the barriers and drivers?
- Authors:
- FREEMAN Jonathan, LESSITER Jane
- Publisher:
- Ofcom
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 43p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report presents the findings of research from Ofcom's Advisory Committee on Older and Disabled people (ACOD) commissioned from i2 media research. The efforts that companies make to incorporate universal design and design for usability for older and disabled people in their activities were investigated. Findings are based on confidential in-depth interviews with senior figures from the consumer electronics and media products and services supply chain. Sectors sampled included broadcasting, telecommunications and online products and services. Details of the research method and sample design are provided. The results are discussed in the areas of: participants' views of what currently works; barriers to addressing the needs of older and disabled people; and participants views of what else could help. Two examples where companies had made efforts to address the needs of older and disabled people are provided (big button phone and government procurement for digital television switchover). The report concludes that further changes to the status quo will need encouragement and better co-operation between industry and stakeholders is also needed.
Monitoring the implementation of lifetime homes in London: London plan research project June 2008
- Author:
- SAVILLS
- Publisher:
- Greater London Authority
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 73p.
- Place of publication:
- London
As part of his commitment to delivering the homes Londoners need, the Mayor wants to ensure that the needs of older and disabled people, and families with small children are addressed by homes that are accessible and adaptable and able to meet the needs of occupiers throughout their lifetime. With this in mind, he is keen to ensure compliance with the Lifetime Home standards developed by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in the 1990s and now included in the Code for Sustainable Homes. This research by Savills was commissioned by the GLA to assess how effectively existing London Plan policies regarding use of the standard have been implemented, and how consistently they are being interpreted across the capital. The report makes a range of recommendations on policy and guidance, monitoring and implementation.
Long term care services to older people, a perspective on future needs: the impact of an improving health of older persons
- Authors:
- JACOBZONE Stephane, et al
- Publisher:
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Publication year:
- 1998
- Pagination:
- 58p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Paris
This study extends research on the impact of age-specific disability trends on long-term care needs to an international framework. Detailed age and sex data for each country are combined with information related to severe disability. Two projections were made: one assumes stable rates of disability, and the other reflects the rate of decline based on available observations in each country separated by periods of 5 to 10 years. The gains mainly are found among the age groups 65 to 80 years, and are more striking for males than for females. While international differences remain to be explained, these trends show a significant decline in prevalence on the whole. The decline is more important in private households, but is often partly offset by an increase in disability in the remaining institutionalised population. Trends are far from homogeneous across countries as there are increases for specific age/gender age groups, particularly older women in some countries. The economic impact of these trends depends on the institutional arrangements for long-term care services. Public costs of formal home care differ widely between countries, as does the balance between home-care and institutional care. Hence, deinstitutionalisation, with recourse to less expensive form of institutions appears to play a larger role than disability trends per s in terms of public finance. While the health improvements of older populations are an important factor in terms of welfare, they may have mixed effects on public finances. The study addresses the policy implications of these health outcomes trends for health and long-term care policies.
The power of population health data on aging and intellectual and developmental disabilities: reactions of knowledge users
- Authors:
- MARTIN Lynn, OUELLETTE-KUNTZ Helene, McKENZIE Katherine
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 14(4), 2017, p.268–278.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Recent work in Ontario (Canada) revealed that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience higher rates of frailty and use of ageing care services at earlier ages than the general population, and that the subset aged 65+ years is increasing. This paper describes the reaction of knowledge users to study findings and implications for policy and practice. A knowledge transfer webinar was held with nearly 200 people representing different regions of the province, participant types (family members, service providers, decision makers, researchers), and sectors (health and developmental services). Most participants viewed health and developmental services systems as not ready for the ageing population with intellectual and developmental disabilities for two main reasons: insufficient cross-sector expertise and inadequate funding. The need for healthcare, challenged informal supports, lack of services, and the desire for independence were thought to drive higher use of home care among younger adults, while inadequacies within the developmental services sector, challenged informal supports, medical and care needs, lack of community supports, and the need for coordinated cross-sector services were noted as contributing to admissions to long-term care. There is a lack of evidence-based information on ageing and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Ongoing access to quality, population-level data on the number and needs of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities is needed to improve policies and practices to support ageing in the community. Persons working in health and developmental services had a shared understanding of the need for system reform, better collaboration, and integration of resources. Both sectors also viewed admission to long-term care as particularly problematic. The province-wide webinar brought together persons with various levels of responsibility from different sectors. Future exchanges should focus on identifying and promoting best practices. (Edited publisher abstract)
Participation in advanced age: enacting values, an adaptive process
- Author:
- SUGARHOOD Paul
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 37(8), 2017, pp.1656-1680.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The concept of participation, introduced through models such as the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, has become increasingly important in health and social care. However, it has not been consistently defined or operationalised, and there is very limited research into participation in the context of advanced age and disability. This article reports a study which explored participation from the perspectives of community-living people aged over 80 years with physical rehabilitation needs. Using a grounded theory methodology, 11 participants aged 81–96 years were recruited from a National Health Service Trust in the United Kingdom. The main finding was that participation was experienced as the enacting of values. Values provided the motivation for specific ways of participating in life, guided actions and behaviours, and were the means through which participation was interpreted. Commonly enacted values were: connecting with others; maintaining autonomy; affirming abilities; doing the best you can; being useful; maintaining self-identity; and pursuing interests. A process was evident whereby participation was challenged by deteriorating health and losses and the participants adapted (or not) to overcome these challenges. To promote participation in advanced age, health and social care policy and practice must consider the values important to older people. Interventions should be congruent with these values and promote strategies through which they can be enacted. (Publisher abstract)
A carer's life: implications and considerations for commissioning
- Author:
- OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY. Institute of Public Care
- Publisher:
- Oxford Brookes University. Institute of Public Care
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 11
- Place of publication:
- Oxford
This paper discusses the finding of a study on the impact of caring on the quality of life and emotional aspects of carers’ lives. The study looked across adult carer groups to identify common themes that are relevant to carers and commissioners of services. A total of 18 carers, including 15 women and 3 men participated in three focus groups for the study. Three main themes were identified: the scale of the caring role, in terms of the range of tasks and time spent; adopting the role of the skilled helper, resulting in the loss of other rolls and identity; and the hidden care, who becomes more isolated. The paper looks at the implications of the findings for commissioners across four stages of the commissioning cycle: undertaking needs analysis; planning services and support; ensuring good services are delivered; and reviewing and monitoring services. The paper highlights the importance of recognising, valuing carers and supporting carers in their role. (Edited publisher abstract)
Homes for our old age: independent living by design
- Author:
- ONGERI Steve
- Publisher:
- Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 36p.
- Place of publication:
- London
The 10 case studies presented in this report show how architects and designers have created homes where people feel safe, respected and part of the community. The majority of the buildings, which vary in scale, location and design, are for older people, with one for disabled people, and all of the schemes aim to maintain the independence of the residents, through design, management and the services provided. The report identifies lessons from the case studies for those involved in the commissioning and design of home care: design for home care or support must recognise that each building is a home not just a place for social care, those delivering schemes need to be aware of the experiences of the ageing and disabled population (poverty and affluence, discrimination and equality, isolation and inclusion, the needs of a diverse society), internal design needs to be flexible to accommodate changing care or support needs, independence and quality of life require high quality design, management and services, buildings should be future- proofed, schemes need to be seen as community assets which allow residents to mix with local people while enabling them to feel secure and private, and developers and providers should consult residents both before and after development and occupancy.