Safeguarding vulnerable older people: a job for life?

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 214-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Moore
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Postal Questionnaire ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Anonymous Questionnaire ◽  
Textual Data ◽  
Abuse And Neglect

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the findings from one component of an empirical, mixed methods research project designed to determine the extent, nature and causes of abuse in contemporary independent sector care homes for older people. Design/methodology/approach – A self-completion, postal questionnaire was used to elicit both numerical and textual data that were subsequently subjected to both quantitative and qualitative analysis. The questionnaire was distributed to newly appointed care staff in five participating care homes to determine the nature of any abuse they may have witnessed in the homes in which they had previously worked. Findings – A significant proportion of respondents described instances of predominantly psychological and physical abuse and neglect and revealed hitherto undisclosed abusive practices. Research limitations/implications – Though the research draws upon the experiences of only 140 anonymous questionnaire respondents, of whom 94 had witnessed abuse, data suggest abuse continues to occur in some care homes for older people. Originality/value – The research has revealed staffs’ recent experiences of a range of abusive acts and practices. Findings suggest that changes are required to current methods of external scrutiny and investigation of practices in care homes.

Oops! Its happened again! Evidence of the continuing abuse of older people in care homes

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Moore
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Postal Questionnaire ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Anonymous Questionnaire ◽  
Textual Data ◽  
Abuse And Neglect

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present findings from an empirical research project designed to enhance knowledge of the current extent and nature of abuse in contemporary care homes for older people. Design/methodology/approach A self-completion, postal questionnaire was used to elicit both numerical and textual data that was subsequently subjected to both quantitative and qualitative analysis. The questionnaire was distributed to newly appointed care staff in six participating care homes providing care to older people to determine the nature of any abuse they may have witnessed in the homes in which they had previously worked. Findings A significant proportion of respondents described instances of predominantly psychological and physical abuse and neglect. Research limitations/implications Though the research draws upon the experiences of only 194 anonymous questionnaire respondents, of whom 140 had witnessed abuse; data suggest that abuse continues to occur in some care homes for older people. Originality/value The research has revealed staffs’ recent experiences of a range of abusive acts and practices. Findings suggest that changes are required to current methods of external scrutiny and investigation of practices in care homes.

The road goes ever on: evidence of the continuing abuse of older people in care homes

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 152-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Moore
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Postal Questionnaire ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Road ◽  
Anonymous Questionnaire ◽  
Textual Data ◽  
Abuse And Neglect

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present findings from a research project designed to enhance knowledge of the current extent and nature of abuse in contemporary care homes for older people. Design/methodology/approach A self-completion, postal questionnaire was used to elicit both numerical and textual data that were subsequently subjected to both quantitative and qualitative analysis. The questionnaire was distributed to newly appointed care staff in five participating care homes providing care to older people to determine the nature of any abuse they may have witnessed in the homes in which they had previously worked. Findings A significant proportion of respondents had witnessed numerous occurrences of primarily psychological and physical abuse and neglect, perpetrated against the older people living in the care homes in which they had previously worked. Research limitations/implications Although the research draws upon the experiences of only 197 anonymous questionnaire respondents, of whom 180 had witnessed abuse, data suggest that abuse continues to occur in some care homes for older people. Originality/value The research has revealed staffs’ recent experiences of a range of abusive acts and practices. When combined with two previous studies using the same or a similar methodology, the research also confirms the enduring presence of abuse in care homes. Findings again suggest that changes are required to current methods of external scrutiny and investigation of practices in care homes.

What’s in a word? The importance of the concept of “values” in the prevention of abuse of older people in care homes

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 130-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Moore
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Contributory Factor ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Personal Value ◽  
Provision Of Care

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present some of the findings from an empirical, mixed methods research project that reveal the importance of the personal value frameworks held by individual staff in the prevention of abuse of older people in private sector care homes. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with a sample of 36 care home personnel, including proprietors, care managers and care staff. Findings A significant number of respondents identified the importance of personal value frameworks among staff providing care as a potential contributory factor in the prevention of abuse of older people. Research limitations/implications Though the research draws upon the experiences of only 36 care home personnel through interviews, data suggest that the personal evaluations of staff towards those in their care is a significant contributory factor to the occurrence of abuse. Originality/value The research has identified individual staff value frameworks as a causal factor in the occurrence of abuse. The research also confirms that the perceptions of “values” among respondents directly involved in the provision of care are at odds with common understanding of “values” often cited elsewhere in connection with staff recruitment and training as a means of preventing the occurrence of abuse.

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil? Underreporting of abuse in care homes

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 303-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Moore
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present some of the findings from an empirical, mixed methods research project that reveal underreporting and active concealment of abuse in private sector care homes. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 36 care home personnel. An anonymously completed questionnaire was also used concurrently among newly appointed staff in newly opened care homes, to elicit additional quantitative and qualitative data. Findings A significant number of respondents reported awareness of acts of abuse that had not been reported within the care home or externally to the authorities. Some respondents were aware that where occurrences of abuse had been reported, no subsequent action was taken, and external authorities were not always involved in responses to abuse. A significant number of respondents were aware of deliberate strategies used to deter reports of abuse to external agencies. Research limitations/implications Though the research draws upon the experiences of only 36 care home personnel through interviews, and 94 questionnaire respondents who had witnessed occurrences of abuse, data suggest that a significant proportion of abuse in care homes remains unreported. Originality/value The research has revealed staffs’ experiences of underreporting of abuse in private sector care homes. Findings indicate that changes are required to current methods of scrutiny of occurrences of abuse in care homes and the strengthening of incentives to report it.

The sound of silence: evidence of the continuing under reporting of abuse in care homes

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-48
Author(s):  
Steve Moore
Keyword(s):  
Private Sector ◽  
Older People ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Scrutiny

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present findings from two research projects undertaken between 2015 and 2019 that reveal continued underreporting and sometimes active concealment of abuse in private sector care homes for older people in England. Design/methodology/approach An anonymously completed questionnaire was used among newly appointed staff in 11 newly opened care homes to elicit both quantitative and qualitative data relating to the reporting of occurrences of abuse within the care homes in which they had previously worked. In total, 391 questionnaires in total were returned, 285 of which indicated that respondents had witnessed the perpetration of abuse on at least one occasion. Findings A significant number of respondents indicated their awareness of acts of abuse that had not been reported within the care home(s) in which they had worked, or externally to the appropriate authorities. Some respondents were aware that where occurrences of abuse had been reported within care homes no subsequent action was taken, or that external authorities were not always involved in responses to abuse. A significant number of respondents described strategies that had been used to deter reports of abuse to external agencies and to conceal its occurrence from the statutory regulator and service commissioners. Research limitations/implications Though the research draws upon the experiences of only 285 questionnaire respondents who had witnessed episodes of abuse, data suggest that a significant proportion of abuse in care homes remains unreported. Originality/value The research has revealed experiences of continued underreporting and concealment of abuse among staff in private sector care homes. Findings indicate that a strengthening of incentives and protections extended to the staff who should report abuse are essential, and that changes to current methods of external scrutiny to which care homes are subject are required.

Supporting creative ageing through the arts: the impacts and implementation of a creative arts programme for older people

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Chester Evans ◽  
Jennifer Bray ◽  
Claire Garabedian
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Older People ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Creative Arts ◽  
Standard Format ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report on an independent evaluation of a three-year “Creative Ageing” programme, focussing on the impacts for participants and factors promoting successful delivery of sessions. Design/methodology/approach Artists provided feedback through reflective journals and questionnaires, while the views of care staff and participants were also captured in a standard format at the end of each arts session. Thematic analysis of the qualitative data identified common themes. Findings Twenty-three arts projects were delivered across a range of settings and through diverse art forms including dance, drama, music, visual arts and poetry. They reached nearly 2,200 participants who recorded over 8,100 session attendances in total. Participation in high quality creative experiences improved well-being for older people, as well as increasing social interaction and reducing isolation. Several factors facilitated successful implementation and delivery of the activities, particularly the need to hold planning meetings with staff to provide guidance around participant numbers and suitability, minimising disruption of the sessions and the supportive role of staff during the sessions. Opportunities for reflection enabled artists to address potential challenges and adapt their practice to meet the needs and preferences of participants and to the complexities of diverse settings. Originality/value Previous research has largely focussed on the impact of activities in a single setting. This study supports the role of creative arts in increasing social interaction as an attempt to tackle isolation and loneliness, both for older people living in the community and for those living in a communal setting such as care homes and supported living schemes.

scholarly journals Exploring the role of volunteers in social care for older adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ailsa Cameron ◽  
Eleanor K. Johnson ◽  
Paul B. Willis ◽  
Liz Lloyd ◽  
Randall Smith
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
The South ◽  
Content Type ◽  
South West

Purpose This paper aims to report the findings of a study that explores the contribution volunteers make to social care for older adults, identifying lessons for the social care sector and policymakers. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory multiple case study design was used to capture the perspectives and experiences of managers of services, volunteer co-ordinators, volunteers, paid care staff and older people. Seven diverse social care organisations took part in the study drawn from three locations in the South West of England. Findings This study identified three distinct models of volunteer contribution to social care services for older people. Although the contributions made by volunteers to services are valued, the study drew attention to some of the challenges related to their involvement. Research limitations/implications The organisations taking part in this small-scale study were all based in the South West of England, and the findings are therefore not generalisable but contribute to the growing evidence base related to this important field. Practical implications This study demonstrates the importance of the volunteer co-ordinator role and suggests that it is properly funded and resourced. It also confirms the importance of volunteers receiving appropriate training and support. Originality/value Given the increasing involvement of volunteers in the provision of social care, this paper provides lessons to ensure the role of volunteers in social care enhances rather than diminishes the quality of care provided.

If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got: commissioning and regulating care homes to prevent abuse

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 418-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Moore
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Limited Impact ◽  
Regulatory Processes ◽  
Limited Efficacy ◽  
Regulatory Functions ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a review of some of the fundamental theoretical and contextual components of commissioning and regulatory processes as applied to care home services, revisiting and examining how they impact on the potential prevention of abuse. Design/methodology/approach By revisiting a number of the theoretical bases of commissioning activity, some of which may also be applied to regulatory functions, the reasons for the apparent limited impact on the prevention of the abuse that occurs in care homes by these agencies are analysed. Findings The paper demonstrates how the application of commissioning and regulatory theory may be applied to the oversight of care homes to inform proposed preventative strategies. Practical implications The paper offers strategies to improve the prevention of abuse in care homes for older people. Originality/value A factual and “back to basics” approach is taken to demonstrate why current strategies that should contribute to tackling abuse in care homes are of limited efficacy.

Shining a light on care homes during the COVID 19 pandemic in the UK 2020

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 217-228
Author(s):  
Annie Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older People ◽  
Age Discrimination ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Human Rights Act ◽  
Human Rights Act 1998 ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the link between age discrimination and the injustices that have taken place in our care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic in this country. It seeks to show how destructive age discrimination is to those who live in our care homes and attempts to shake up our attitudes to older people, as the pandemic continues. It is hoped that shifts in attitude would lead to a societal revolution in care and support for older people as the pandemic shows us how the current system is breaking down. Design/methodology/approach This is a personal insight into the plight of the care home sector during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. The writer has worked in the field of social care and older people’s services for many years and felt compelled to share her learning and observations. This led to venturing more deeply into understanding why those who live, work and visit care homes have been so neglected and “cast into the shadows” in the face of such desperate danger. Whilst tracking the media narrative during the first wave, she attempts to apply her knowledge, in particular gained from working for Help the Aged (now Age UK) as a policy manager for Quality Care, but also draws on experiences as a social worker, commissioner and care provider from the 1980’s to the present. By “shining a light” on care homes, revealing that the darker practices that have taken place contravene the Human Rights Act 1998, it is hoped that the recognition of age discrimination will happen at every level and become better known in its application. The paper observes how deeply rooted it is in us all. Findings Having highlighted some shocking examples of bad practice from the authorities relating to care homes, the article concludes that Government policy on care homes from March to July 2020 was discriminatory and questions how far lessons have been learned. The legislation is in place in the form of the Human Rights Act 1998 to protect older people in care homes but is not being widely implemented at regional policy level. Government rhetoric remains far from reality Instead of redressing the gap and admitting mistakes, there is evidence at a high level of continued denial and the projection of blame on to the care homes themselves. Originality/value The author’s professional background includes meeting the founder of the Gray Panthers, Maggie Kuhn, in the United States in the 1988. This was a defining moment that gave her an original insight into age discrimination and influenced her entire career. It eventually led to her working in national policy for one of the most influential charities for older people at the turn of the millennium, Help the Aged. Here, she co-founded the My Home Life Programme (promoting quality of life in care homes). The paper offers a unique insight into why it is so challenging to achieve quality of life for older people needing care and should be of interest to policymakers, clinical commissioning groups, local authorities, older people’s care providers and carer and user organisations.

Elder abuse

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill Manthorpe
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Older People ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Abuse And Neglect ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Poor Practice

Old age psychiatrists will encounter situations of elder abuse in their practice. Whatever their work and professional policies they will need to think the unthinkable and to provide leadership to teams and across services. Asking and observing what is happening are key elements of their role. There is further need to work collaboratively to support older people at risk and to empower then by fostering or sustaining resilience. Old age psychiatrists can assist in prevention and in the building of supportive communities. They have a key role to play in furthering research and the creation of effective interventions for perpetrators. Their engagement with staff and residents in care homes may prevent poor practice and diminish opportunities for abuse and neglect.

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