Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Care coordination for older people: an exploratory framework
- Authors:
- HUGHES Jane, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 16(3), 2015, pp.130-139.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present a framework for examining variation in care coordination arrangements for older people. Design/methodology/approach: A multi-method approach was adopted combining analysis of secondary data and primary data. There were two stages: the development of the framework and its constituent attributes and indicators; and its validation from two perspectives: a meeting with managers and focus groups with practitioners. It was informed by an existing generic framework; subsequent policy guidance; data from an English national survey; previous research; and international literature. Findings: The framework comprises 19 attributes each with indicators measuring performance relating to: organisational arrangements influencing service delivery; the performance of core tasks of care coordination; and differentiation within the process to distinguish between responses to different levels of need. Originality/value: Care coordination arrangements in England are characterised by diversity. This paper provides a framework for evaluating local arrangements thereby highlighting strengths and where improvements are needed. It offers a means to promote programme fidelity. As such it has utility for both service commissioners and providers. (Edited publisher abstract)
Breaking down the barriers: older people and complaints about health care
- Author:
- PARLIAMENTARY AND HEALTH SERVICE OMBUDSMAN
- Publisher:
- Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 28
- Place of publication:
- London
Drawing on information collected from a national online survey, focus groups with older people and their carers, and case studies, this report highlights the barriers that older people can face when looking to complain about the health care they receive. The report found that older people lack information about how to complain, and don't know where to go; don't want to make a fuss and worry about what will happen if they do; feel complaining would make little difference; and can lack support to complain. Additional factors such as living alone and the lack of emotional and practical support can make these barriers even harder for older people to overcome. The report makes a number broad recommendations to improve older people's experiences of the complaints system. It also recommends that organisations providing care use the framework 'My expectations for raising concerns and complaints', published by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, Local Government Ombudsman and Healthwatch England, to measure how effectively they are handling their own complaints. (Edited publisher abstract)
Ageing and people with learning disabilities: in search of evidence
- Author:
- WALKER Carol
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 43(4), 2015, pp.246-253.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Growing numbers of people with learning disabilities are now living into older age. This study aims to examine the state of knowledge about their lives and the challenges that ageing has for both family carers and policymakers and practitioners. Materials and Methods: The article synthesises existing research in the fields of learning disability, ageing and family and social care with a view to learning lessons from these separate fields, identifying possibilities for collaboration and identifying gaps in knowledge. Results: The article concludes that existing research in the fields of ageing and family and social care can add significantly to an understanding of the impact of ageing on people with learning disabilities and their carers but, to date, there has been little collaboration or sharing of knowledge between the three areas. Conclusion: The article concludes that further research is required to fully understand the impact of ageing on the quality of life of people with learning disabilities and their family carers and to inform the design and delivery of services. A useful and productive way forward would be learn from and to work with researchers in cogniscent fields, notably, but not only, in the fields of social gerontology and family and social care. (Publisher abstract)
Improving UK health care: Nuffield Trust strategy: 2015 - 2020
- Author:
- NUFFIELD TRUST
- Publisher:
- Nuffield Trust
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 12
- Place of publication:
- London
A five-year strategic plan setting out how the Nuffield Trust will work to improve health care in the UK. The plan centres around a renewed focus on what policies mean on the ground and on bringing together policy-makers with frontline clinicians and managers. The trust is committed to: improving the evidence base that leads to better care for people in the UK through our research and analysis; using its independence to provide expert commentary, analysis and scrutiny of policy and practice; and bringing policy-makers and NHS staff together to raise issues and identify solutions. Work will focus on five key areas, selected for the opportunities to contribute to solving problems in the coming years: quality of care - new models of health care delivery; workforce; older people and complex care; and providing independent scrutiny of government policies and the performance of the system. (Edited publisher abstract)
Integrating occupational therapy services: playing the long game
- Author:
- KELLY Janet
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Integrated Care, 23(4), 2015, pp.185-193.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore some of the critical areas of work in any long-term strategy to develop integrated occupational therapy services across health and social care for adults who are frail and elderly and living in their local communities. It explores the success that has been experienced in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board over the past eight years or more and proposes “keeping the faith” as a helpful personal strategy in avoiding disillusionment and disengagement in the process when setbacks occur along the way. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is a combination of personal reflection and experience, with reference to the literature and what has been written about others’ professional experiences at bringing services and professional groups together. Findings: Developing integrated occupational therapy services is not easy. However there are several critical factors, which once understood for their role in the overall process, add weight to the 'right thing to do' argument. These 'critical factors' provide a continued focus for the work when the challenges inherent in developing integrated services are in danger of outweighing the successes and the pressure is strong to revert to the default position of single agency service delivery. Originality/value: This paper makes an effort to pursue integrated occupational services to serve as an example of wider attempts to pursue collaboration and integration, highlighting the need for remaining doggedly determined on the final objective – better services for people. (Publisher abstract)
Promoting spiritual care for older people in New Zealand: the Selwyn Centre for Ageing and Spirituality
- Author:
- PERKINS Chris
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 19(3), 2015, pp.107-113.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a centre to promote the spiritual care of older people in New Zealand. Design/methodology/approach: The spiritual scene in New Zealand is described and “spirituality” defined. The history of the Selwyn Centre for Ageing and Spirituality (SCAS) is illustrated by case studies in three areas: research, education and advocacy, noting challenges in providing spiritual care to older people. Findings: The number of New Zealanders claiming a religious affiliation is dropping but spirituality is of interest and relevance to many people. The acknowledgement of Maori spirituality has affected government policy. The SCAS has supported research and provided education throughout the country. Advocacy is difficult where care focuses on the physical and funding for frail older people is limited. Research limitations/implications: While the importance of good spiritual care for older people is clear, this is not easy to achieve. However, an organisation like SCAS has brought the issue to national awareness and made some contribution to increased understanding and improved practice. Practical implications: As the population ages and expressions of spirituality diversify, a deeper understanding of spirituality beyond Christian religion is required. Social implications: While the SCAS focuses on older people, it has formed a nexus of people more widely interested in spirituality at all ages, in different cultures and throughout the country. Originality/value: This is the first description of a New Zealand organisation specifically addressing the spiritual care of older people. (Publisher abstract)
House calls: the impact of home-based care for older adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia
- Authors:
- WILSON Kasey, BACHMAN Sara S.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 54(6), 2015, pp.547-558.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Older adults with Alzheimer’s/dementia have high health care costs; they may benefit from home-based care, but few have home visits. This article describes a home-based care programme for frail elders, including those with Alzheimer’s/dementia. Descriptive statistics are provided for Medicare-enrolled programme participants and matched controls with Alzheimer’s/dementia on expenditures along six services: skilled nursing facility, inpatient acute, physician, home health, hospice, and social services. Cases with dementia were significantly more likely to have home health and hospice expenditures than controls, suggesting potential for the program to improve end-of-life care. Very few cases or controls had any social service expenditures. Social workers should advocate for the expanded role of home-based care for older adults with dementia and for increased Medicare reimbursement of social work services. (Edited publisher abstract)
Heatwave plan for England: making the case: the impact of heat on health: now and in the future
- Author:
- PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND
- Publisher:
- Public Health England
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 19
- Place of publication:
- London
This document provides a background to the 'Heatwave plan for England'. The purpose of the plan is to avoid the adverse health effects of excessive heat by raising public awareness and triggering actions by those in contact with people who are most at risk. This, in turn, helps reduce pressures throughout the health and social care system. The document outlines key health issues associated with heatwaves, explains why long-term planning is essential and gives some examples of medium term and longer term actions which can be taken to mitigate or ameliorate some of the effects of future heatwaves and hot weather. (Edited publisher abstract)
Take six decisions for excellent healthcare and support for older people
- Author:
- BRITISH GERIATRICS SOCIETY
- Publisher:
- British Geriatrics Society
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 8
- Place of publication:
- London
Sets out six key decisions that the British Geriatrics Society (BGS) believe the incoming government should take in order to promote excellent healthcare and support for older people. This care should be person-centred, effective, efficient, safe, equitable and timely. The six key decisions are: to end the divide between health and social care; build capacity in intermediate care; invest adequately in healthcare and social support for older people; provide national strategic direction on older people living with frailty, dementia, complex needs and multiple long-term conditions; supporting staff to develop competencies in the management of older patients; and measuring the aspects of care that matter to older people and their families. (Edited publisher abstract)
Locally based research and development units as knowledge brokers and change facilitators in health and social care of older people in Sweden
- Authors:
- NYSTROM Monica, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Evidence and Policy, 11(1), 2015, pp.57-80.
- Publisher:
- Policy Press
This article investigates the role of locally based research and development units (R&Ds) focusing on health and social services. Nearly 300 local R&Ds are funded by the Swedish government with the intention to facilitate knowledge transfer and development of high quality and effective health and social care organisations. Based on analyses of archival data on aims, activities and outputs of R&Ds focusing on care for older people the authors argue that local R&Ds have potentials to act as knowledge brokers, change agents and researchers, but these overlapping roles need clarified strategies and enactment of a variety of skills. (Publisher abstract)