Journal of Care Services Management, 7(3), 2013, pp.87-94.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
With an ageing population and limited resources the challenge for policy makers and practitioners is how best to provide for the care and support needs of older people. This article draws on findings from two studies, a scoping study of the personalisation of care services and another which aimed to generate evidence about the potential use of family-based support schemes (Shared Lives, SL)
(Publisher abstract)
With an ageing population and limited resources the challenge for policy makers and practitioners is how best to provide for the care and support needs of older people. This article draws on findings from two studies, a scoping study of the personalisation of care services and another which aimed to generate evidence about the potential use of family-based support schemes (Shared Lives, SL) for certain groups of older people. Forty-three schemes participated in a survey to gather information about services provided and the extent to which this included older people and their carers, and six staffs were interviewed across two schemes about issues for expanding provision for older people in their local areas. It was evident that SL schemes were already supporting a number of older people and there was support for expansion from both schemes and local authorities. Adequate resources, awareness raising, management commitment, and a pool of suitable carers would be needed to support any expansion effort. There is also still a need for SL to be more widely known and understood by care managers if it is to be considered part of mainstream provision for older people
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, family support, needs, personalisation, social care provision, service users, carers;
Working with Older People, 20(3), 2016, pp.179-186.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to report on the views and experiences of older people using Shared Lives (adult placement) in 2012/2013.
Design/methodology/approach: As part of a survey collecting information about outcomes for older users of Shared Lives issues of whether it had made a difference to quality of life, and positive and negative experiences of support were explored.
Findings: Questionnaires were returned by 150 older people using Shared Lives services. Findings suggest that this model of community-based support has a number of advantages for some older people, such as reducing social isolation and loneliness, promoting independence, choice and control, providing emotional support and increased well-being.
Research limitations/implications: The questionnaire was self-completed and so responses were not followed up to provide deeper insights.
Practical implications: Shared Lives is not appropriate for everyone but it is suggested that this option should form part of local commissioning strategies, be part of a range of options for social care practitioners to consider in their work with older people and helps to meet various current policy imperatives.
Originality/value
The potential of Shared Lives for older people is under-researched and this paper contributes to the literature in exploring the views of older people about family-based support in the community.
(Publisher abstract)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to report on the views and experiences of older people using Shared Lives (adult placement) in 2012/2013.
Design/methodology/approach: As part of a survey collecting information about outcomes for older users of Shared Lives issues of whether it had made a difference to quality of life, and positive and negative experiences of support were explored.
Findings: Questionnaires were returned by 150 older people using Shared Lives services. Findings suggest that this model of community-based support has a number of advantages for some older people, such as reducing social isolation and loneliness, promoting independence, choice and control, providing emotional support and increased well-being.
Research limitations/implications: The questionnaire was self-completed and so responses were not followed up to provide deeper insights.
Practical implications: Shared Lives is not appropriate for everyone but it is suggested that this option should form part of local commissioning strategies, be part of a range of options for social care practitioners to consider in their work with older people and helps to meet various current policy imperatives.
Originality/value
The potential of Shared Lives for older people is under-researched and this paper contributes to the literature in exploring the views of older people about family-based support in the community.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
older people, shared lives schemes, loneliness, social isolation, personalisation, user views, community care, quality of life, surveys;
British Journal of Social Work, 45(1), 2015, pp.86-103.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
There are many drivers for change and innovation in adult social care and one of the most significant is the personalisation agenda; however, whilst resources are always limited, this does have its roots in a more relaxed financial climate than currently prevails. This article draws on findings from a scoping study which aimed to identify future areas for research to assist councils in developing and commissioning personalised services. Twenty local authorities were surveyed and in three case study areas, interviews and focus groups conducted with staff and service users to explore progress with personalisation and identify innovative practice. Although, at the time of the study, the impact of resource reductions had yet to be felt, budget cuts were seen as a potential impediment to future developments. The innovative practice identified demonstrated approaches to tackling some of the challenges of personalising social care and a commitment from practitioners and commissioners to find ways to do this. However, it remains to be seen whether the cold financial climate results in a top-down prescriptive approach to personalisation or leads to local innovation to enable people to make decisions about their needs.
(Publisher abstract)
There are many drivers for change and innovation in adult social care and one of the most significant is the personalisation agenda; however, whilst resources are always limited, this does have its roots in a more relaxed financial climate than currently prevails. This article draws on findings from a scoping study which aimed to identify future areas for research to assist councils in developing and commissioning personalised services. Twenty local authorities were surveyed and in three case study areas, interviews and focus groups conducted with staff and service users to explore progress with personalisation and identify innovative practice. Although, at the time of the study, the impact of resource reductions had yet to be felt, budget cuts were seen as a potential impediment to future developments. The innovative practice identified demonstrated approaches to tackling some of the challenges of personalising social care and a commitment from practitioners and commissioners to find ways to do this. However, it remains to be seen whether the cold financial climate results in a top-down prescriptive approach to personalisation or leads to local innovation to enable people to make decisions about their needs.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
personalisation, outcomes, cutbacks, adult social care, social care provision, resource allocation, commissioning, change management, financing;