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Helping older people in residential care remain full citizens
- Author:
- SCOURFIELD Peter
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 37(7), October 2007, pp.1135-1152.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This paper examines how the moves to bring older people into deliberative democratic processes have tended to focus on those in their ‘Third Age’. Those in institutional settings, being in the ‘Fourth Age’, occupy a much more marginal position. This effective disenfranchisement is yet another reason why, for many, the move into residential care - a difficult transition for a variety of reasons - becomes regarded as the ‘last refuge’. It contributes to the sense of loss of identity, lowering of self-esteem and a reduced sense of personhood. This article accepts that there should be more effective involvement of care home residents in decision making about their personal care. However, there are dangers in adopting a too narrowly consumerist approach. This can reinforce a reductionist view of care home residents simply as ‘service users’ - a form of ‘othering’ in itself. As citizens and members of a wider community, they should be included in consultations about any community and wider political debates that affect them. Such a proposal implies a widening and deepening of advocacy services available to this group. As most older people in residential care are there following the intervention of a social care professional, then ensuring that they have access to advocacy must surely be a key task. This paper argues that this is frustrated by the lack of suitable services. Without a significant investment by the Government in independent advocacy services, not only is the social work task with one of social care’s core client groups rendered impossible, but the Government cannot deliver on its own agenda of empowerment, active citizenship and inclusion.
Self-funders in care homes: should they be offered an annual review of their placement from their local authority?
- Author:
- SCOURFIELD Peter
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 14(2), June 2010, pp.17-22.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article describes how older care home residents who are assisted financially by their local authority have to have their placements reviewed at least annually, and these reviews provide an opportunity for the older person and their relatives to comment on the care that they receive. A recent study into the care home review system in one local authority identified several themes that emerged – one being that older people who self-fund do not have this opportunity and that this was inequitable. The author examines the care home population, before exploring the background to statutory reviews. The paper then discusses the possible benefits of extending the review system to include self-funders, together with some of the issues that this might raise. In conclusion, the author suggests that if annual reviews are considered worth carrying out for those that are state assisted, the same right should be extended to those who are funding themselves.