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;
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;
Ageing and Society, 32(2), February 2012, pp.261-280.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Senior Citizens’ Forums have been established across East Sussex to provide a mechanism for dialogue between the County Council, the Primary Care Trusts, other public agencies, and older people. The aim of this article is to explore the characteristics and motivations of the members of these forums, specifically looking at: how they see themselves in relation to ‘other older people’; and their relationships with the places in which they live. The article draws upon pieces of research conducted with 2 forums. The first involved participatory research with forum members to explore issues prompting their participation and their experiences of this. The second comprised biographical interviews with forum members with reference to mobility and participation over their lifespan. The findings are discussed in relation to the characterisation of participants in such forums as the ‘usual suspects’ whose legitimacy to speak on behalf of others may be questioned, and by reference to a growing recognition of the significance of place in the lives of older people. Important differences in motivations, backgrounds and priorities of forum members are shown between the 2 forums. The research confirms that place-based participation tends to engage those who are fitter and who have more social and cultural capital, but questions assumptions that this means they are spaces for the pursuit of self-interest.
Senior Citizens’ Forums have been established across East Sussex to provide a mechanism for dialogue between the County Council, the Primary Care Trusts, other public agencies, and older people. The aim of this article is to explore the characteristics and motivations of the members of these forums, specifically looking at: how they see themselves in relation to ‘other older people’; and their relationships with the places in which they live. The article draws upon pieces of research conducted with 2 forums. The first involved participatory research with forum members to explore issues prompting their participation and their experiences of this. The second comprised biographical interviews with forum members with reference to mobility and participation over their lifespan. The findings are discussed in relation to the characterisation of participants in such forums as the ‘usual suspects’ whose legitimacy to speak on behalf of others may be questioned, and by reference to a growing recognition of the significance of place in the lives of older people. Important differences in motivations, backgrounds and priorities of forum members are shown between the 2 forums. The research confirms that place-based participation tends to engage those who are fitter and who have more social and cultural capital, but questions assumptions that this means they are spaces for the pursuit of self-interest.
Subject terms:
motivation, older people, socioeconomic groups, user participation, communities;
This research set out to investigate what happens when older people are given the opportunity to shape service commissioning and delivery. The study also raises wider question of whether it can change the nature of local power relations in the long term. Dorset and Salford were identified as two areas where structures and processes exist which encourage and facilitate the involvement of older people in local decision-making. Through focus groups the research examined: how older people in these areas were involved in commissioning and service delivery; what difference their involvement made; the factors which lead to successful engagement; and the barriers to involving older people. Key findings revealed that public policy has made increasing reference to voice and choice for service users. Yet there were few examples where users have a real say in commissioning and more strategic approaches to service planning. Older people and agencies felt that their local involvement processes were worthwhile and associated with identifiable results. National focus groups were more sceptical about whether outcomes justified the time and resources involved. In conclusion, involvement should concentrate specifically on outcomes more than on processes.
This research set out to investigate what happens when older people are given the opportunity to shape service commissioning and delivery. The study also raises wider question of whether it can change the nature of local power relations in the long term. Dorset and Salford were identified as two areas where structures and processes exist which encourage and facilitate the involvement of older people in local decision-making. Through focus groups the research examined: how older people in these areas were involved in commissioning and service delivery; what difference their involvement made; the factors which lead to successful engagement; and the barriers to involving older people. Key findings revealed that public policy has made increasing reference to voice and choice for service users. Yet there were few examples where users have a real say in commissioning and more strategic approaches to service planning. Older people and agencies felt that their local involvement processes were worthwhile and associated with identifiable results. National focus groups were more sceptical about whether outcomes justified the time and resources involved. In conclusion, involvement should concentrate specifically on outcomes more than on processes.
Subject terms:
older people, service users, social care provision, user participation, commissioning;
This research looks at how older Londoners are being involved in developing council policies and services. The research focuses on older citizen engagement activities that go beyond consultation to capture more active forms of public engagement. The report includes three examples - from Hammersmith and Fulham, Islington and Sutton councils - of how older citizens are being engaged. The three primary ways in which engagement partnerships are structured are the independent forum, supported groups and older citizens’ panels.
This research looks at how older Londoners are being involved in developing council policies and services. The research focuses on older citizen engagement activities that go beyond consultation to capture more active forms of public engagement. The report includes three examples - from Hammersmith and Fulham, Islington and Sutton councils - of how older citizens are being engaged. The three primary ways in which engagement partnerships are structured are the independent forum, supported groups and older citizens’ panels.
Subject terms:
older people, policy, user participation, access to information, citizenship;
This research looks at how older Londoners are being involved in developing council policies and services. The research focuses on older citizen engagement activities that go beyond consultation to capture more active forms of public engagement. The report includes three examples - from Hammersmith and Fulham, Islington and Sutton councils - of how older citizens are being engaged.
This research looks at how older Londoners are being involved in developing council policies and services. The research focuses on older citizen engagement activities that go beyond consultation to capture more active forms of public engagement. The report includes three examples - from Hammersmith and Fulham, Islington and Sutton councils - of how older citizens are being engaged.
Subject terms:
older people, policy, user participation, access to information, citizenship;
Falling birth rates and increasing life expectancy are leading to huge demographic changes. There are now almost 20 million people over the age of 50 in the UK, accounting for 42 per cent of the adult population. By 2020, the proportion will probably be around 48 per cent and there will be more people over 80 than there are children under five. Cotswold District Council, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Nottinghamshire County Council, Shropshire County Council and Stroud District Council have all adopted innovative approaches to the problems and opportunities that are posed by this shift. After sketching the background, Assisting Ageing looks at four themes: planning for an ageing society - lead contributor Nottinghamshire County Council; improving multi-agency working - lead contributors Cotswold District Council and Stroud District Council; harnessing the energy, enthusiasm and skills of older people - lead contributor Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service; engaging with and involving older people - lead contributor Shropshire County Council.
Falling birth rates and increasing life expectancy are leading to huge demographic changes. There are now almost 20 million people over the age of 50 in the UK, accounting for 42 per cent of the adult population. By 2020, the proportion will probably be around 48 per cent and there will be more people over 80 than there are children under five. Cotswold District Council, Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service, Nottinghamshire County Council, Shropshire County Council and Stroud District Council have all adopted innovative approaches to the problems and opportunities that are posed by this shift. After sketching the background, Assisting Ageing looks at four themes: planning for an ageing society - lead contributor Nottinghamshire County Council; improving multi-agency working - lead contributors Cotswold District Council and Stroud District Council; harnessing the energy, enthusiasm and skills of older people - lead contributor Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service; engaging with and involving older people - lead contributor Shropshire County Council.
Subject terms:
joint working, older people, planning, social services, user participation;
Local Government Chronicle, 29.06.06, 2006, pp.16-17.
Publisher:
Emap Business
With an ageing population, this article looks at how local authorities are finding ways of helping their older population. Five areas of good practice are highlighted: involving older people in decision making; preventing falls; helping people get out and about; the introduction of neighbourhood wardens; and using technology to improve access to information.
With an ageing population, this article looks at how local authorities are finding ways of helping their older population. Five areas of good practice are highlighted: involving older people in decision making; preventing falls; helping people get out and about; the introduction of neighbourhood wardens; and using technology to improve access to information.
Subject terms:
local authorities, older people, user participation, access to information, falls;
User participation has become one of the most important concepts in the social care sector in many European countries, but the literature has mostly paid attention to disabled people or those with mental health problems. This article compares the user participation policies directed at social care for older people in Norway and England. Using a discourse analytical approach, a selection primarily of White papers from the 1960s until today are analysed. The analysis draws on the literature's discourse discussion, including a democratic/rights based discourse (full citizenship), a consumer discourse (consumers’ rights to choose welfare services), a co-production discourse (users and state/local authorities partnerships), and nuances of these discourses. The analysis shows that, while both countries start with variations of a democratic discourse, Norway develops a temporary and weak consumer discourse in a middle phase, then moves to co-production in current times. England, on the other hand, develops a comprehensive consumer discourse but also a surprisingly strong co-production discourse – the idea of a ‘Big Society’ – in early and current times.
(Edited publisher abstract)
User participation has become one of the most important concepts in the social care sector in many European countries, but the literature has mostly paid attention to disabled people or those with mental health problems. This article compares the user participation policies directed at social care for older people in Norway and England. Using a discourse analytical approach, a selection primarily of White papers from the 1960s until today are analysed. The analysis draws on the literature's discourse discussion, including a democratic/rights based discourse (full citizenship), a consumer discourse (consumers’ rights to choose welfare services), a co-production discourse (users and state/local authorities partnerships), and nuances of these discourses. The analysis shows that, while both countries start with variations of a democratic discourse, Norway develops a temporary and weak consumer discourse in a middle phase, then moves to co-production in current times. England, on the other hand, develops a comprehensive consumer discourse but also a surprisingly strong co-production discourse – the idea of a ‘Big Society’ – in early and current times.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, social care, user participation, service users, comparative studies, rights based approach, co-production;