This report provides a summary of the research literature on the participation and co-production of older people with high support needs. It identifies the benefits and barriers to participation and also includes a small-scale survey of good practice. The report notes that 'older people with high support needs' are a diverse group, falling into two strands of disadvantage - age and disability. Factors that may contribute to high support needs are also identified as: gender; ethnicity; religion and belief; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people; poverty; learning disability; dementia and mental health problems; sensory impairment and housing contexts. The report goes on to identify the benefits and barriers to participation and different ways of involving older people. A resources section sets out resources available to support co-production in social care, including assessment tools and examples of practice and service development undertaken in co-production. The conclusion offers recommendations for improving practice. The report will be of particular interest to commissioners of social and health care services; people working in housing provision; service users and others developing the co-production/participation agenda in care provision and service development.
This report provides a summary of the research literature on the participation and co-production of older people with high support needs. It identifies the benefits and barriers to participation and also includes a small-scale survey of good practice. The report notes that 'older people with high support needs' are a diverse group, falling into two strands of disadvantage - age and disability. Factors that may contribute to high support needs are also identified as: gender; ethnicity; religion and belief; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people; poverty; learning disability; dementia and mental health problems; sensory impairment and housing contexts. The report goes on to identify the benefits and barriers to participation and different ways of involving older people. A resources section sets out resources available to support co-production in social care, including assessment tools and examples of practice and service development undertaken in co-production. The conclusion offers recommendations for improving practice. The report will be of particular interest to commissioners of social and health care services; people working in housing provision; service users and others developing the co-production/participation agenda in care provision and service development.
Subject terms:
older people, user participation, co-production, complex needs;
Ageing and Society, 32(6), August 2012, pp.1055-1078.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
The participation and autonomy of older people living in residential homes is considered to be problematic. However, in this action research project conducted in a Dutch residential care organisation the authors found ways to enhance residents' direct participation. This article we describes how a group of seven female residents, calling themselves ‘The Taste Buddies’, developed a joint vision on how meals could be improved, which enhanced the group's empowerment, building interpersonal trust, social identity and joint purpose. The authors argue that resident participation as partnership with employees and managers starts with relational empowerment among residents themselves. This process is non-linear and requires time and constructive facilitation.
The participation and autonomy of older people living in residential homes is considered to be problematic. However, in this action research project conducted in a Dutch residential care organisation the authors found ways to enhance residents' direct participation. This article we describes how a group of seven female residents, calling themselves ‘The Taste Buddies’, developed a joint vision on how meals could be improved, which enhanced the group's empowerment, building interpersonal trust, social identity and joint purpose. The authors argue that resident participation as partnership with employees and managers starts with relational empowerment among residents themselves. This process is non-linear and requires time and constructive facilitation.
Subject terms:
older people, residential care, user participation;
The UK Advisory Forum on Ageing offers older people a direct line to government to comment on new policy ideas, services, legislation and areas important to them. It aims to improve the well-being of older people and to respond to the opportunities and challenges of an ageing society. Government is encouraging the development of local and regional communication channels to identify common themes that need to be brought to the attention of national government, provide direction and leadership on local and regional issues affecting older people, and to help spread good practice locally. This document offers some ideas for discussion and development, which emerged from a DWP-facilitated workshop held in December 2009.
The UK Advisory Forum on Ageing offers older people a direct line to government to comment on new policy ideas, services, legislation and areas important to them. It aims to improve the well-being of older people and to respond to the opportunities and challenges of an ageing society. Government is encouraging the development of local and regional communication channels to identify common themes that need to be brought to the attention of national government, provide direction and leadership on local and regional issues affecting older people, and to help spread good practice locally. This document offers some ideas for discussion and development, which emerged from a DWP-facilitated workshop held in December 2009.
Subject terms:
older people, user participation, ageing, communities;
Local Government Chronicle, 9.4.09, 2009, pp.22-23.
Publisher:
Emap Business
Councils have a key role in providing services that give older people greater independence, increased wellbeing, and ensure they can engage with services. Four councils have secured Beacon awards for their innovative approaches to engaging older people. Provides brief overviews of innovative approaches in Bradford, Camden, Lancashire and Tower Hamlets.
Councils have a key role in providing services that give older people greater independence, increased wellbeing, and ensure they can engage with services. Four councils have secured Beacon awards for their innovative approaches to engaging older people. Provides brief overviews of innovative approaches in Bradford, Camden, Lancashire and Tower Hamlets.
Subject terms:
older people, quality of life, social care provision, user participation;
This is an interim report of an ongoing evaluation of the National POPP -partnerships for older people - projects programme. It is a statement of progress providing very early findings, lessons learnt and key messages from the experience of the POPP pilots to date.
This is an interim report of an ongoing evaluation of the National POPP -partnerships for older people - projects programme. It is a statement of progress providing very early findings, lessons learnt and key messages from the experience of the POPP pilots to date.
Subject terms:
older people, user participation, evaluation, government policy;
Generations Review, 18(2), April 2008, Online only
Publisher:
British Society of Gerontology
Researching later life engages us with people living in all situations including some who are involved in health, housing and social care. Regardless of whether they are receiving or providing services or have some other interest, inviting them to participate in research is a serious matter. Research participants should be approached only after giving careful consideration to what it is they will be asked to do. They may be seen as research participants or co-producers of research. This article presents guidelines relating to ethical research practice.
Researching later life engages us with people living in all situations including some who are involved in health, housing and social care. Regardless of whether they are receiving or providing services or have some other interest, inviting them to participate in research is a serious matter. Research participants should be approached only after giving careful consideration to what it is they will be asked to do. They may be seen as research participants or co-producers of research. This article presents guidelines relating to ethical research practice.
Subject terms:
older people, research ethics, research methods, user participation;
Working with Older People, 9(4), December 2005, pp.39-42.
Publisher:
Emerald
The author, an Associate Director with the Better Government for Older People (BGOP), explains the work of the BGOP and its work to connect politics and older people through active engagement.
The author, an Associate Director with the Better Government for Older People (BGOP), explains the work of the BGOP and its work to connect politics and older people through active engagement.
Subject terms:
older people, politics, social care provision, user participation;
Despite many directives promoting the involvement of older people in planning and evaluating services that are provided for them, relatively little is known about what older people themselves think about such involvement. The standards are designed by advisory groups who have been invited to take part in planning and monitoring the process of implementation for the standards.
Despite many directives promoting the involvement of older people in planning and evaluating services that are provided for them, relatively little is known about what older people themselves think about such involvement. The standards are designed by advisory groups who have been invited to take part in planning and monitoring the process of implementation for the standards.
Extended abstract:
AuthorAGE CONCERN
Title
Involving older people: in setting standards for day services
Publisher
Age Concern, 2005
Summary
This report sets out the findings of a research project carried out by Age Concern Norfolk between April 2001 and September 2002 supporting older people in designing quality standards and initiatives for day centre services.
Context
Despite many directives promoting the involvement of older people in planning and evaluating services that are provided for them, relatively little is known about what older people themselves think about such involvement.
Method
Contents
An executive summary begins with an introduction stating that older people remain largely excluded from participation in planning and policy decision-making processes, and that relatively little is known about how they feel about being involved or about what they perceive as successful outcomes of such involvement. It then gives the research aims: to involve older people, including service users, in defining the criteria for quality day centre services; to involve them in devising methods for assessing services; and to gain a greater understanding of the contributions older people are willing to and able to make in service planning and evaluation. The methodology is explained, and summarises specific findings: recruitment of non-service users was fare more difficult than recruitment of service users; verbal explanation and presentation was far more valuable in recruitment than written explanation; involving older people in rural areas generated complex planning arrangements; meetings are also a social event: refreshments and getting together can be an important part; appropriate encouragement and support will help facilitate involvement; and relaxed and friendly surroundings and adequate transport arrangements are essential. The main part of the report has an introduction giving the aims, rationale, background and context. Theoretical underpinning and methods are described. General findings and observations and evaluation findings – the views of participants – are given. The report ends with conclusions, outcomes, and an endnote. Appendices give the Norfolk Older People's Forum Evaluation Report, July 2002 and the Advisory Group Participants Report, August 2002.
Findings
Conclusion
Engaging older people in rewarding and worthwhile involvement processes is essential if feelings of tokenism are to be avoided. The findings support previous studies refuting assumptions often made about physically frail older people being unable to make a major impact on service planning. The participants' proposals for day centre quality standards and initiatives were accepted by Age Concern Norfolk's Care Services management team and a strategy and time frame for implementation agreed. The standards were implemented throughout CAN day centre services during 2003. The strengths of a democratic approach to involvement were highlighted. Interest in service planning and development decision-making among even frail older people, and particularly their ability, willingness and commitment to deal with complex issues, should not be underestimated.
19 references
Subject terms:
older people, standards, user participation, day services;
Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 16(2), 2004, pp.33-49.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
Reports the results of an educational experience in teaching the topic of elder abuse in an undergraduate social work department in a college in Israel. The goal of the experience described in this report was to create an intergenerational, learning community in the classroom by bringing in older persons as co-teachers, experts on their experience, and co-learners to improve the study of gerontology. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Reports the results of an educational experience in teaching the topic of elder abuse in an undergraduate social work department in a college in Israel. The goal of the experience described in this report was to create an intergenerational, learning community in the classroom by bringing in older persons as co-teachers, experts on their experience, and co-learners to improve the study of gerontology. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Subject terms:
older people, social work education, user participation, elder abuse;
Journal of Integrated Care, 12(6), December 2004, pp.43-48.
Publisher:
Emerald
New service models such as intermediate care may find it difficult to involve older people in services that are time-limited and unfamiliar. Their staff may perceive themselves as having little time to sustain or build relationships with voluntary and community-based organisations engaged in intermediate care. This article shows how such challenges can be met by drawing on the experiences of voluntary sector projects involved in intermediate care services. The article focuses on practitioners' experiences of involving older people in intermediate care assessment and treatment and, secondly on the views of older people about the information they received.
New service models such as intermediate care may find it difficult to involve older people in services that are time-limited and unfamiliar. Their staff may perceive themselves as having little time to sustain or build relationships with voluntary and community-based organisations engaged in intermediate care. This article shows how such challenges can be met by drawing on the experiences of voluntary sector projects involved in intermediate care services. The article focuses on practitioners' experiences of involving older people in intermediate care assessment and treatment and, secondly on the views of older people about the information they received.
Subject terms:
intermediate care, older people, user participation, user views;