Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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"Working with COW": social work supporting older women living in the community
- Authors:
- RAWSTHORNE Margot, ELLIS Kayleigh, de PREE Alison
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 60(1), 2017, pp.32-47.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Australia, like all developed Western countries, is experiencing a demographic shift resulting in an increasing proportion of the population being over the age of 65 years. Contrary to stereotypes, the vast majority of older people live independently in communities. This article explores the potential of social work practice informed by community development principles to enable socially disadvantaged older women to live in vibrant and supportive communities, in which they feel safe and are able to access the support services they need. It argues that participation in social action not only builds older women’s well-being but also enables them to become (or continue to be) agents for social change in local communities. Adopting a community-based research methodology, this article draws on a decade of community development practice with the Concerned Older Women’s (COW) Group. This data suggests that community development practice based on participation, empowerment, and social action founded on respectful relationships may accrue significant benefits to individuals and the broader community. This social work practice creates the social conditions to facilitate older women’s capacity to work collectively to achieve social change, challenging ageist stereotypes. (Publisher abstract)
Evaluation of the H4All Wellbeing Service pilot: April 1st 2016 - January 31st 2017
- Authors:
- JAMMU Dalvinder, BOND Andy
- Publisher:
- NHS Hillingdon Clinical Commissioning Group
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 41
- Place of publication:
- London
An evaluation of the first 10 months of the Hillingdon H4All Wellbeing Service pilot, commissioned by Hillingdon CCG in April 2016. The service is a collaboration between 5 local third sector charities and provides older patients in Hillingdon with a range of services, including: information and advice, practical support, goal setting and ongoing support to manage LTCs, befriending and mentoring, and signposting and referral to voluntary and statutory services. During the evaluation period the H4All service supported 1,099 patients with 2,729 enquiries resulting in 11,675 contacts with/for patients. Analysis of completed Patient Activation Measure (PAM) outcome questionnaires found that most people accessing the service increased their PAM score, with an average movement of 8 points per patient in their individual scores. A total of 44 of the Hillingdon GP practices referred to the Wellbeing Service during the evaluation period in the first ten months and gave very positive feedback. The appendices include individual patient case studies highlight how they have benefitted from the service. (Edited publisher abstract)
Ageing Better: social prescribing and older people: guide to developing development project plans
- Author:
- HOY Christine
- Publisher:
- Hall Aitken
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 16
Developed as part of the Better Ageing project, this guide provides advice on developing social prescribing plans and approaches as a way of tackling loneliness in older people. It highlights the importance of ensuring that social prescribing initiatives sustainable by engaging the support of local groups such as general practices, voluntary and third sector organisations. It also highlights key stages of developing any plan. These include: the importance of empathy and awareness when holding initial conversations to link people with support; mapping local assets, groups and activities; developing ways to find and use information about local sources of support; the collection of evaluation data; use of digital technologies in social prescribing; and presenting local plans using appropriate language and vocabulary. It also suggests key areas that could be covered in social prescribing plans, such as governance and accountability, plan for local evaluation, local collaboration and training and support needs. Includes a list of useful links and resources. (Edited publisher abstract)
Body of Knowledge: a practice as research case study on the capacity for dance-theatre to promote wellbeing
- Author:
- BICKNELL Jemma
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 18(1), 2014, pp.18-23.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the wellbeing benefits and challenges that arise in dance-theatre performance making with older people. It also addresses the notion of taking artistic risks when making community art. Design/methodology/approach: This study draws on current research into older people's participatory performance and the impact it has on wellbeing, in relation to a practice as research dance-theatre project: Body of Knowledge in 2012. The analysis draws on primary experiential and secondary data to describe the possible physical, mental, social and emotional benefits of taking part in performance projects, as well as identifying the challenges and criticisms related to this kind of work. Findings: The physical and mental impacts of participating in dance activity are well documented, but there are also valuable social and emotional effects which are hard to quantify, yet just as valuable. Evidence collected from other projects along with my own research, suggests that along with health benefits, the shared endeavour of taking part in a performance project can help an older person to build confidence, social networks, a sense of purpose and refresh or learn new skills. By encouraging older performance groups to show their work to audiences of mixed ages, it is also possible to challenge ageist perceptions. Originality/value: This paper draws together current research on the physical, mental, social and emotional value of participatory dance-theatre performance work, in relation to practical findings from a specific project. (Publisher abstract)
Engaged lives: end of project report 2022
- Author:
- EXTRA CARE CHARITABLE TRUST
- Publisher:
- Extra Care Charitable Trust
- Publication year:
- 2022
- Pagination:
- 40
- Place of publication:
- Coventry
This report covers the impact, outcomes and key learning points from the Engaged Lives project. The project was designed to build greater community and connection amongst older population in ExtraCare housing communities and supported by the National Lottery Community Fund. Initiatives included in the project were volunteer schemes, peer-support and positive ageing workshops, and a range of community-building resources including: ExtraCare residents - Engaged Lives Workshops; Friendly Faces initiative and the "Community Team" aimed at residents wishing to sustain the ethos of Good Neighbours mornings in a more collaborative and structured way. Key outcomes from the project relate to: social wellbeing; older people experience less loneliness and isolation; a greater sense of meaning, purpose and direction experienced by older people; addressing the root causes of loneliness, rather than just its symptoms; better mobilise the strengths and skills of the community. A key measure of impact was that averaging across all participating individuals, there was a small but significant increase of 5.5% in social wellbeing indicated (or a 5.5% reduction in loneliness). Broad recommendations and learning from the project include: prioritising reducing stigma about loneliness; promoting later life as a time for continued growth, development, and contribution; invest greater trust in older people; prioritising resilience in the face of staff-turnaround and sector shortages; and planning for diversity in mental health support. Outputs from the project include: development of a "project toolkit" which can guide other villages through the roll-out of initiatives to a broader range of residents and a newly designed volunteer pack to support volunteers in their roles more effectively. Appendices include: questionnaire used to measure impact; extracts from Steps to Connection guide; engaged lives resource pack; friendly faces volunteer pack; and engaged lives toolkit. (Edited publisher abstract)
Connecting communities: housing at the heart of integrated health and social care in Scotland
- Author:
- HANOVER SCOTLAND
- Publisher:
- Hanover Scotland
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 36
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
A summary of findings from the Connecting Communities project, an action research project in a mix of amenity, sheltered and very sheltered Hanover housing developments in Scotland. The research aimed to understand what matters most to people living, visiting and working in Hanover housing. It also aimed to test out ways to build connectedness and increase wellbeing. The report describes the methodology used and sets out the lessons for the housing, health and care sectors. It also demonstrates how the organisation is using 'Five ways to Well-being' to improve the wellbeing of their residents. The five ways are: Connecting, Being active; Taking notice; Keep learning; and Giving to create a sense of purpose and belonging. Personal stories are used to illustrate the benefits of the approach. The findings show that home is fundamental to the well-being of people and the sustainability of communities. It makes recommendations for better engagement with older people when services are being developed and for a better understanding of the networks and supports which already exist in communities. The report highlights that housing associations should be fully included in the ongoing integration of health and care. (Edited publisher abstract)
Healing the generational divide: interim report on intergenerational connection
- Author:
- ALL-PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP ON SOCIAL INTEGRATION
- Publisher:
- All-Party Parliamentary Group on Social Integration
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 56
- Place of publication:
- London
Interim report of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Social Integration inquiry on intergenerational connection, which examines the current gap between older and younger people, and what can be done to bridge it. The report sets out a series of suggestions to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together under four main policy areas: community projects and initiatives; public services; housing and planning; and technology. The report highlights how intergenerational projects are particularly effective in achieving social integration, improving wellbeing and tackling loneliness. It also includes examples of successful initiatives It highlights the benefits of taking a whole-society approach, including all policy areas and involving national and local government, not-for-profit organisations, the private sector and academia. Specific recommendations include: for nurseries, schools and care homes to foster connections between the different generations who use their services and, where possible, to co-locate services on one site and the creation of a national volunteering scheme that encourages older people to volunteer in their communities when they retire. (Edited publisher abstract)
Resilience: understanding the interdependence between individuals and communities
- Authors:
- DAVIES Alisha R., et al
- Publisher:
- Public Health Wales
- Publication year:
- 2019
- Pagination:
- 58
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
Drawing on the results of a literature review, this report brings together evidence on individual and community resilience, and the interdependence between the two. It draws on examples of programmes to strengthen resilience across the life course and in communities, and looks at approaches to measuring change in resilience. The report highlights how people’s sense of wellbeing, how well they cope emotionally, and how they engage socially are the key factors for resilience, which in turn contribute to wider community resilience. Resilient communities can draw on the assets within people, place and wider economic factors. It also finds that resilience is not fixed but changes at different points in peoples' lives. The report highlights a range of activities that improve community and individual resilience, including: encouraging good relationships and connections with others; establishing a healthy family environment and early positive parent-child relationships; promoting good health and mental wellbeing in adulthood, including developing positive relationships and social capital through engaging with the community; and enhancing the resilience of older people though building positive relationships, strengthening social connections and meaningful engagement, alongside enhancing autonomy and independence. It concludes with a summary of the key messages. (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)
Five hours a day: systemic innovation for an ageing population
- Author:
- KHAN Halima
- Publisher:
- NESTA
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 66
- Place of publication:
- London
Sets out thoughts on the impact of ageing on society and what that means in terms of innovation. It makes the case for a systematic look at how we live in an ageing society, to create new models of living and working, with a priority on the issues which have most impact on older people's lives. It finds there is a big gap between the focus of current ageing innovations and what older people actually want. It suggests that the factors that matter most to older people are: to have a sense of purpose – feeling useful and valued; to have a sense of well-being - living as well as possible with health conditions, being physically active and emotionally resilient; and to feel at home, independent and connected to others. The report identifies four ways in which the current approach to innovation in ageing is not supporting this vision: Social innovation lags behind technological innovation; defining ageing by what it is not; over-relying on top-down structural change; and lack evidence of what works. It highlights the need for innovation areas such as: mobilising community support for vulnerable older people - between family, friends, neighbours and communities; new markets with better adapted products and services and commissioning for outcomes; widespread use of personal budgets alongside traditional provider budgets; co–production as the norm for enabling people to live well with long–term conditions; and good application of technology to enable older people to age well, using devices and platforms that are assistive, responsive, affordable and evidence–based. (Edited publisher abstract)