EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - The support older people want and the services they need

The support older people want and the services they need

Introduction

This report looks at the services older people want to support them while living at home. It investigates current practices, maps the barriers, and produces a resolution to the problems facing older people living at home.

Description

The report highlights personal stories illustrating the complexity, range and extent of older people's 'low-level' (or non-technical) needs at home. The role and responsibilities of the state and citizens with regard to social welfare are discussed.

The systems and services provided by social services departments are examined from the perspective of managers and practitioners, looking at their responsibilities towards older people's personal care, dilemmas they face, and examples of good practice.

Background information

In 2004 the Joseph Rowntree Foundation Independent Living Committee, set up an Inquiry into the unmet needs for low-level services among older people - Older People’s Inquiry into ‘That Bit of Help’.

The Foundation also commissioned, in parallel with the Inquiry, this research into current practices, the barriers that prevent older people’s access to practical everyday services, and suggestions for improvement.

Methodology

The research is based on:

seven discussion/focus groups of older people across England;
surveys of local authority staff in commissioning of services, front-line social workers and nurses;
a review of evidence, policy and research literature;
meetings with staff from the Secretariat of the Inquiry;
and reviews by the project team and other experts.

Conclusions

The report highlights:

the characteristics of service provision that older people value;
the barriers to best practice (resources, access and information);
and the value of low-level services.

Recommendations are made for the development of services people want with the involvement of older people and the wider community.

Recommendations are also made on how older people's care needs can be met more effectively through implementing good practice strategies and developing individual-focused services.

Contact info

Joseph Rowntree Foundation
The Homestead, 40 Water End
YO30 6WP York
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1904 615905
info@jrf.org.uk

Publication date

Project finished

01/01/2007

Researcher

Roger Clough, Jill Manthorpe, OPRSI (Bert Green, David Fox, Gwyn Raymond and Pam Wilson), Vicki Raymond, Keith Sumner, Les Bright and Jinny Hay

Article info
ISBN: 9781859355404

Links

Visit the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website

Download the "Support older people want and the services they need" Report (PDF, Eng, 498 KB)

Document type

research

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Keywords

Social services