Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 56
Free personal care: insights from Scotland
- Author:
- INDEPENDENT AGE
- Publisher:
- Independent Age
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 26
- Place of publication:
- London
This briefing seeks to build on existing information on free personal care – based on the principle of free-at-the-point-of-use social care, like the NHS – by providing an insight into the experiences of some of those involved in, and receiving, social care in Scotland. The paper aims to contribute to the policy debate as the government considers undertaking bold reform in England that similarly includes the principle of free at the point of use. It draws on evidence from interviews with staff involved in the management of social care; a survey of 397 people in Scotland who had had experience of interacting with the care system; and data from 2002 onwards that showed changes to social care delivery since Scotland introduced free personal care. The analysis reveals that many older people in Scotland feel they have benefited from the introduction of free personal care and continue to do so decades later. However, it is equally clear that any government wishing to implement a similar policy in England has much to learn from some of the challenges in Scotland. Of particular importance is the need to be absolutely clear over the definition of personal care and who will benefit, as well as the need to situate any such reform within the context of a long-term stable funding settlement. In addition, the evidence from Scotland shows that while, as an individual policy, free personal care will benefit many older people, it will not provide all that everyone needs, and so must sit within a package of wider reform. Without a combination of these wider reforms, free personal care will be unable to deliver significant benefits for older people and their families. (Edited publisher abstract)
Public spending levels for social care of older people: why we must call in the debt
- Author:
- DAVIES Bleddyn
- Journal article citation:
- Policy and Politics, 35(4), October 2007, pp.719-726.
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
The author debates the funding of social care for older people.
Household composition and the dynamics of community-based social care in England
- Author:
- IPARRAGUIRRE Jose
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 40(8), 2020, pp.1631-1646.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Little is known about the dynamic relationship between the different funding sources of community-based social care in England. Using Waves 2–6 (2004–2013) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing survey, the author estimated dynamic multi-level cross-classified mixed-effects logistic regression models to investigate whether receiving services by one source is more or less likely if an older person was already receiving services funded by the same source or another in the previous period. Four hypotheses between formal privately and publicly funded help and informal help are tested: substitution, complementarity, compensation and task-specificity. The author also reports evidence that older people on low incomes residing in local authorities that reduce social care spending are especially affected. (Edited publisher abstract)
The present retirement crisis and how social workers can respond
- Authors:
- MILLER David B., HOKENSTAD M.Terry, BERG Kristen
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 60(5), 2017, pp.395-407.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Research on Americans’ retirement readiness indicates a wide range of preparedness for the golden years. Called a “crisis” by researchers, retirement for some may include significant choices: continued employment or utilisation of social welfare services. This article describes factors contributing to the retirement crisis and roles social workers can play in assisting older retirees. Disparity in household retirement savings exists by ethnicity. On the front lines serving ageing individuals and their families, social work professionals are well situated to collaborate with individuals, and other providers, to address financial, social and emotional pillars necessary in facilitating a safe and secure retirement. (Edited publisher abstract)
Using housing wealth and other assets to pay for care
- Author:
- CENTRE FOR POLICY ON AGEING
- Publisher:
- Centre for Policy on Ageing
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 82
- Place of publication:
- London
A rapid review on using personal assets, including housing wealth, to pay for care. The literature reviewed covers: wealth overviews and the wealth lifecycle; wealth inequality; housing as wealth; releasing equity from housing wealth; attitudes to housing, wealth and the release of equity; inheritance; the relationship between health and wealth and the trade-off between home ownership and welfare provision; housing and wealth as contributors to the funding of long term care; and international and comparative studies. The review argues that older people would prefer not to use their hard won housing assets to pay for long term care but, given the unacceptability of a pooled system either from general taxation, a compulsory up-front 'insurance' premium on retirement or a 'death tax', a scheme to pay for long term care as the need arises becomes necessary. It concludes that the care cap and universal deferred payment scheme provisions of the Care Act 2014 may well be the most acceptable way forward. (Edited publisher abstract)
The 'Dilnot social care cap': making sure it delivers for older people
- Authors:
- ISDEN Ruthe, NORTON Mathew, ABRAHAMS Caroline
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 19
Earlier this year the Government announced how, in broad terms, it intended to implement the recommendations of the Dilnot Commission for a social care cap. Along with many other organisations that work with and for older people, Age UK warmly welcomed the Government’s decision to act on the Dilnot proposals, while expressing disappointment that the level of the cap was set at a less generous level than the Commission had recommended. This report aims to provides a review of what the government’s new lifetime care costs cap will mean for someone who needs support in later life. The analysis shows that the proposed system is complex and may prove difficult for many older people and their families to negotiate. It calls for more clarity and information around costs, eligibility and means test thresholds. (Edited publisher abstract)
Smarter spending for better care: ten ideas to make better use of social care funding for older people and carers
- Author:
- COUNSEL AND CARE
- Publisher:
- Counsel and Care
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 11p.
- Place of publication:
- London
With the budgetary pressures facing local authorities in England, it is important to identify how better value for money could be achieved from current spending on social care. The drive for efficiencies should not be at the detriment of older people with care and support needs and their families and carers. This document provides 10 ideas to make better use of current social care funding while improving quality of care and experiences for older people and their carers. It argues that better value for money could be achieved by re-focusing resources on: providing easily accessible advice, information and advocacy; recognising the key role that families and carers play; specialist independent financial advice; supporting people to stay or move where they want to be in later life; integration of housing, health and care; new technology (telecare and telehealth); personalisation (making sure care is focused on the person); prevention, early intervention and homechecks; volunteering and intergenerational work; and dementia drugs and treatments. These ideas could result in the delivery of better care at the same time as saving up to £3 billion.
Politics and the care conundrum: why does England have a problem funding social care?
- Author:
- LLOYD James
- Publisher:
- Strategic Society Centre
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 29p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This discussion paper explores the underlying causes of England's long-term care funding problem. It argues that the state, the older population and wider society have sufficient wealth to finance a properly funded social care system. The persistent problem of funding care in England therefore poses what can be termed the ‘care conundrum’. This paper seeks to explain this 'care conundrum', and its root causes in issues of politics and governance. Using ideas and theories drawn from political science, the paper identifies multiple factors that may explain the 'care conundrum'. These factors include: the varied, ‘indefinable’ nature of social care; the illogical, complex ‘mess’ of institutions overseeing social care policy; public ignorance of what social care is and what outcomes represent quality; and the interests of politicians in avoiding unpopular measures. The paper calls for the creation of an Office for Care and Living which would undertake a number of strategic functions, such as public education and data provision, in order to address the failure of democratic accountability alone to ensure a properly funded social care system. It argues that, even in the face of voter disinterest toward social care, the government does have an opportunity to reposition public and political discourse on care funding to create the conditions for sustainable long-term reform.
The future social care market
- Author:
- NATIONAL MARKET DEVELOPMENT FORUM
- Publisher:
- National Market Development Forum
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 6p.
- Place of publication:
- Oxford
The social care market is going to change in the coming years. Key trends include greater choice and control over service provision for users and carers, a stronger emphasis on communities and prevention, and changes in the basis of funding care. This paper looks at some assumptions that might be made about the social care market in the future and the potential issues and problems to be faced. The paper is based on discussions by participants in the National Market Development Forum between March and July 2010. The assumptions range from the almost inevitable, such as the growth in the numbers of older people, to the highly speculative, such as increased migration of older people. Key challenges that the social care market is likely to pose for commissioners and providers in the future are discussed. With these assumptions and challenges in mind, the paper suggests potential responses that will help to create an ‘ideal’ social care market. Key to the future will be the provision of accommodation into which care and health services can be delivered within the community, together with a combined preventative approach from health and social care.
Funding tomorrow today: social care for older people and vulnerable adults
- Author:
- EDWARDS Nigel
- Publisher:
- NHS Confederation
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 6p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Social care funding must be fairer if provision of social care is to survive. This paper argues that the long term solution to society’s biggest problem – how to fund social care for older people – could be a minimum package of entitlement paid for through a new insurance system. A new system of a sensible level of care backed up by top-ups through social insurance and government support for the poorest would reward those who save, favour prevention over high cost ‘last resorts’ such as care homes and hand control of how money is spent to the users rather than the funders of care.