Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Tea and technology: digital engagement project in partnership with Aviva
- Author:
- ANCHOR HANOVER
- Publisher:
- Anchor Hanover
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 10
- Place of publication:
- London
A short report on Anchor Hanover’s Tea & Technology project which has used funding from Aviva’s Community Fund to increase digital engagement amongst older people. The project provides trainers, face-to-face sessions, tablet computers and wi-fi connections to help older people access the internet and understand the benefits of going online. In the first six months of the project, it has trained 35 volunteers and reached 200 customers. The report includes the views of volunteer trainers and older people in receipt of the service. (Edited publisher abstract)
Exploring the role of volunteers in care settings for older people
- Author:
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH RESEARCH. School for Social Care Research
- Publisher:
- NIHR School for Social Care Research
- Publication year:
- 2020
- Pagination:
- 6
- Place of publication:
- London
The research findings from a study to explore the role of volunteers in the provision of social care for older people. The study looked at the roles volunteers play in social care settings, the motivations of managers in seeking volunteers, the experience of the volunteers themselves, and how older people experienced volunteer involvement. The study involved volunteers in a retirement village, a care home, two day-care centres, a Time Bank (lunch club), a home from hospital support project and one physical activities programme provided in residential care homes. Key findings show that volunteers contribute to adult social care services in three ways: adding to existing care services; providing a discrete free-standing service; or substituting for care workers by filling gaps in provision. In settings where volunteers provided a discrete service or augmented provision the volunteer role had clear boundaries. Organisations that employed a volunteer coordinator/manager were more likely to have an established ‘volunteer package’ and also a clearer volunteer role. The research suggests that the contribution of volunteers is most effective, when: volunteers are able to commit to the service on a regular and consistent basis; the aims of their involvement are clear and widely understood; and proportional training. (Edited publisher abstract)
British Red Cross 'Support at Home' hospital discharge scheme. A small-scale social care intervention: economic evidence
- Authors:
- KNAPP Martin, et al
- Publisher:
- London School of Economics and Political Science, Care Policy and Evaluation Centre
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 4
- Place of publication:
- London
This case summary presents economic evidence on British Red Cross 'Support at Home' hospital discharge scheme. Through the scheme volunteers offer short-term (4–12 week) practical and emotional support for older people recently discharged from the hospital. A British Red Cross evaluation of the schemes effectiveness identified benefits such as enabling safe discharge, supporting carers and enabling patient advocacy. The intervention costs an average £169 per person, including volunteer time. The programme led to savings from older people needing less help with daily activities and improvements in wellbeing. These savings amounted to £884 per person on average (costs are at 2011 price levels). The summary notes that the quality of evidence on the evaluation was not high due to a lack of control group. (Edited publisher abstract)
An evaluation of Rainbow Services community builder project: the Senior Safe and Social Programme
- Author:
- HAINES Sarah
- Publisher:
- HWE Insights
- Publication year:
- 2018
- Pagination:
- 40
- Place of publication:
- Essex
An evaluation of the Senior Safe and Social Project in Harlow, a project to reduce loneliness and social isolation in older people. The evaluation aims to provide an insight into why the model is working well, whether it could be applied to other demographics, how the approach compares with similar models, and the sustainability of the project. The project, based on an Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) model, provides weekly clubs and events in local communities, which are directed by older people themselves. The evaluation identified key factors identified that helped the model work. These included that social groups are design designed around the participants and give them control over what they do. Volunteers’ involvement in the project represents a reciprocal exchange, giving the volunteer the opportunity to socialise and sense of usefulness and connection in the local community. The evaluation suggests that the model could be applied to other locations and other age groups, such as young mothers and ‘empty nesters’. The report includes suggestions for the future development of the project. (Edited publisher abstract)
Age UK Doncaster Circles project: evaluation report 17/18
- Authors:
- CLIFFORD Carol, BOWN Helen
- Publisher:
- National Development Team for Inclusion
- Publication year:
- 2018
- Pagination:
- 49
- Place of publication:
- Bath
An evaluation of the Circles for Independence in Later Life (CFILL) project in Doncaster, from the period April 2017 to July 2018. Based on the Community Circles model, the project focuses on increasing social engagement, independence and resilience of older people, particularly those at risk of hospitalisation or entry into a care home. The model has been adapted to support older people who have no family or friends or where they don’t want them to be part of the circle. The volunteers becoming part of an older person’s social network or ‘circle’ rather than facilitating others to create one. The evaluation draws on both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. The findings show that during the evaluation period 112 people have been involved in the initiative, 76 have had contact with a Circles Connector at Age UK Doncaster, and 40 people out of the 76 who are actively engaged have been matched with a volunteer. The evaluation shows that the project is having a positive impact for those involved towards the four project outcomes: increased confidence in managing long-term health conditions and staying independent; improvements in mental wellbeing; an increase in social connections and less isolation; and benefits for families and volunteers. (Edited publisher abstract)
Embedding community circles in support for older people living in residential care homes or extra care: a practical resource
- Authors:
- ROUTLEDGE Martin, BARTON Cath, WILTON Sharon
- Publisher:
- Community Circles
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 27
Based upon the first two years of experience developing Community Circles in Wigan, this resource shares learning and progress to date. It also outlines the key roles and activities to consider when setting up Community Circles in residential care homes and extra care housing. It will be useful for anyone wanting to include Community Circles as part of the offer of support for older people in residential care or extra care. It will also be of wider use to those looking to embed a range of person and community centred approaches in these types of support. Links to additional guides, reports, tools and materials are included throughout. (Edited publisher abstract)
Age UK's fit for the future project: evaluation report
- Authors:
- WIGFIELD Andrea, et al
- Publisher:
- University of Leeds. Centre for International Research on Care, Labour and Equalities
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 112
- Place of publication:
- Leeds
An evaluation of ‘Fit for the future’, delivered as part of Age UK’s ‘fit as a fiddle’ 2013-2015 activities, funded by the Big Lottery. ‘Fit for the future’ aimed to support the physical health and mental well-being of older people living with at least one long-term health condition. The initiative focused on providing holistic, coordinated services and activities which improve participants’ quality of life and enable them to maintain their independence for longer, while delaying the need for more intensive health and social care interventions. The evaluation included a longitudinal survey of older people; a survey of volunteers; case studies of 55 older people; and qualitative interviews with 56 stakeholders. This report presents the impact of the programme on: mental well-being; healthy eating; physical activities; smoking and alcohol consumption; and managing long-term health conditions. The qualitative data suggests that nearly all older people who took part benefited due to the social interaction element of the programme. Positive changes over time included: mental wellbeing; satisfaction with life; feeling less isolated; healthy eating and increased consumption of fruit and vegetables; increased physical activity; and lower BMI scores. Positive benefits were also reported by volunteers in terms of their physical and mental health, confidence, skills, motivation and self-esteem. The report also considers the programme’s success in developing and sustaining effective partnerships locally, particularly with health and social care. (Edited publisher abstract)
Age UK's Cascade training programme: evaluation report
- Authors:
- ALDEN Sarah, et al
- Publisher:
- University of Leeds. Centre for International Research on Care, Labour and Equalities
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 60
- Place of publication:
- Leeds
An evaluation of Age UK'S Cascade Training (CT) programme, which provided resources to organisations to help them train volunteers and staff to work with specified hard to engage groups of older people in social and physical activities. The programme provided training in six unique training packages which had an emphasis on reducing social isolation, with a more direct focus on specific hard-to-reach groups. This included older people who were socially isolated or housebound; in sheltered or residential care; men; and those in Black and minority ethnic groups. The report looks at the main impact of the programme in four key areas: community engagement and partnerships; volunteers and volunteering; older people; and the wider health and social care systems. It reports that, overall, the programme was found to be a success. It exceeded the set targets for number of volunteers and older people engaged and resulting in effective partnership working at the local level. The report also considers the limitations of the evaluation and presents recommendations based on the report findings. (Edited publisher abstract)
Reducing social isolation amongst older LGBT people: a case study of the Sage project
- Authors:
- ALDEN Sarah, WIGFIELD Andrea
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield
- Publication year:
- 2018
- Pagination:
- 8
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
The Sage project is funded through the Time to Shine programme, which is supported by The Big Lottery funded Ageing Better programme, which aims to reduce social isolation and loneliness amongst older people in Leeds. Sage works with socially isolated older LGBT people in Leeds, offers fortnightly informal drop-in sessions;social events and activities; and signposting services. This case study considers the extent to which Sage is effective at encouraging older LGBT people in Leeds who are lonely to get involved in local services. This is explored by examining the extent to which LGBT people engaging with Sage feel more confident in engaging in their communities and are actively involved in managing, designing and delivering the project. It also examines how Sage is ensuring services across the city are becoming more inclusive. Based on the findings to date, Sage is working well, increasing the involvement and confidence of older LGBT people and raising awareness at the organisational level. While black and minority ethnic (BME) groups have engaged less, steps are being taken to remedy this, including through wider signposting, and working with younger BME LGBT volunteers. (Edited publisher abstract)
Age Friendly Island: local evaluation. Annual evaluation report 17/18
- Author:
- NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM FOR INCLUSION
- Publisher:
- National Development Team for Inclusion
- Publication year:
- 2018
- Pagination:
- 92
- Place of publication:
- Bristol
Age Friendly Island (AFI) is one of 14 partnership programmes funded through Big Lottery Fulfilling Lives: Ageing Better Programme, to pilot new or joined up ways of working to reduce social isolation in older people. This report presents the findings of an evaluation undertaken in the Isle of Wight in 2017-18, the third year of the Programme. The Programme consists of 12 projects, including Community and Care Navigators, Alzheimers Cafe, Care for Carers, Men in Sheds and Mental Health Peer Support. It finds that the Programme has continued to make progress made towards achieving the four main Programme outcomes. It reports that the Programme has continued to opportunities for older people to increase their social connections and has led to decreased social isolation for people involved across the projects; older people are increasingly co-producing and shaping their own individual support and the services; and significant progress towards the Isle of Wight becoming an Age friendly Island, with an increase in inter-generational activities. Although quantitative health and well-being measures have demonstrated either no progress or minimal changes to levels of health and wellbeing, interviews with participants have shown that participation in the Programme has had a positive impact on the physical and mental health, wellbeing and /or quality of life of those involved. The report includes recommendations for the Ageing Better Programme team and for the projects in the Programme. (Edited publisher abstract)