Involving older people in practice development work: An evaluation of an intermediate care service and practice

Background: In most cases intermediate care is represented by a residential care service that faces needs of people, mainly older people, between discharge from the hospital and the return to home. Discussion: Some authors have a negative opinion of this system due to the risk of omission of care and malpractice for the elderly as a consequence of early discharge from the hospital. There are different models of implementation based on the resources locally available and on the particular facilities network. Conclusion: The multidimensional assessment of clinical, functional and social problems is the key for a favourable outcome of intermediate care. If appropriately built as organisational care, intermediate care can become a positive chance for patients’ health. The key for success is to operate in a patient-centered mode, by accurately defining the individual plan of care.

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A prospective baseline study of frail older people before the introduction of an intermediate care service

Health & Social Care in the Community ◽

10.1111/j.1365-2524.2005.00555.x ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 307-312 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

John Young ◽

Michael Robinson ◽

Sue Chell ◽

Diana Sanderson ◽

Stephen Chaplin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Care Service ◽

Intermediate Care ◽

Frail Older People ◽

Baseline Study

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A practice development project for nurses working with older people

Practice Development in Health Care ◽

10.1002/pdh.80 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 13-28 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Jan Dewing ◽

Jayne Wright

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Development Project ◽

Practice Development

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Alternatives to acute hospital care

Reviews in Clinical Gerontology ◽

10.1017/s0959259801011480 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 373-378 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

H Gentles ◽

J Potter

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Acute Hospital ◽

Intermediate Care ◽

National Service ◽

Acute Hospital Care ◽

Department Of Health ◽

Health Authorities ◽

National Service Framework ◽

Hospital Beds ◽

Service Framework

The National Bed Inquiry indicated that up to 20% of older people might be inappropriately occupying acute hospital beds and could be discharged if alternative services were available. The report proposed the concept of ‘Intermediate Care’ as a scenario that might contribute to resolving issues around the use of acute hospital beds. The Department of Health (DoH) Circular to Health Authorities and Local Councils with regard to Intermediate Care and the publication of the National Service Framework for Older People have brought intermediate care into mainstream health policy.

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Older people's satisfaction with intermediate care: a systematic review

Reviews in Clinical Gerontology ◽

10.1017/s0959259808002475 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 199-218 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Andrew Wilson ◽

Suzanne Richards ◽

Janette Camosso-Stefinovic

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older People ◽

Older Patients ◽

Hospital Care ◽

Patient Choice ◽

Intermediate Care ◽

Care Services ◽

The Relationship

Although intermediate care takes a variety of different forms and has developed somewhat differently in different countries, we believe that intermediate-care schemes have enough in common to make it meaningful to examine the relationship between this method of care and the views of older patients receiving either it or its alternatives. This is particularly important as one of the underlying principles of intermediate care is to extend patient choice; furthermore, most intermediate-care services target older people. In this review we examine evidence about whether older people prefer intermediate or hospital care, and what they like and dislike about intermediate care.

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Can welfare-rights advice targeted at older people reduce social exclusion?

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x08007253 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 28 (6) ◽

pp. 875-899 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

SUZANNE MOFFATT ◽

GRAHAM SCAMBLER

Keyword(s):

Older People ◽

Social Exclusion ◽

Social Relations ◽

Care Service ◽

Health Care Service ◽

Age Groups ◽

Median Income ◽

Welfare Rights ◽

Welfare Benefits ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACTIt is known that, in general, people of pensionable age have gained in income compared to other age groups in the British population over the last two decades, but that a substantial minority still experience relative poverty. This paper reports a small qualitative study into the effectiveness of a welfare-rights advice and acquisition service for men and women aged 60 or more years that was provided through a local primary health-care service. Additional financial and non-financial resources were obtained by accessing previously unclaimed state-welfare benefits. It was found that these significantly improved the participants' quality of life. Fourteen of the 25 participants received some type of financial award as a result of the service offered, with the median income gain being £57 (€84 or US $101) per week. The impact of additional resources was considerable and included: increased affordability of necessities and occasional expenses; increased capacity to cope with emergencies; and reduced stress related to financial worries. Knowledge of and access to welfare-rights services also appeared to have a positive effect. It is argued that a level of material resources above a basic level is necessary for social relations and for accessing services and civic activities, and can reduce social exclusion among older people.

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