scholarly journals Evaluating the impact of delivering health and social care to older people in Wales

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Carnes Chichlowska
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Research with older people in a world with COVID-19: identification of current and future priorities, challenges and opportunities

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 901-906 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah J Richardson ◽  
Camille B Carroll ◽  
Jacqueline Close ◽  
Adam L Gordon ◽  
John O’Brien ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
System Reconfiguration ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Academic Authors ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Older people are disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a profound impact on research as well as clinical service delivery. This commentary identifies key challenges and opportunities in continuing to conduct research with and for older people, both during and after the current pandemic. It shares opinions from responders to an international survey, a range of academic authors and opinions from specialist societies. Priorities in COVID-19 research include its specific presentation in older people, consequences for physical, cognitive and psychological health, treatments and vaccines, rehabilitation, supporting care homes more effectively, the impact of social distancing, lockdown policies and system reconfiguration to provide best health and social care for older people. COVID-19 research needs to be inclusive, particularly involving older people living with frailty, cognitive impairment or multimorbidity, and those living in care homes. Non-COVID-19 related research for older people remains of critical importance and must not be neglected in the rush to study the pandemic. Profound changes are required in the way that we design and deliver research for older people in a world where movement and face-to-face contact are restricted, but we also highlight new opportunities such as the ability to collaborate more widely and to design and deliver research efficiently at scale and speed.

Age-friendly cities and communities: a manifesto for change

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tine Buffel ◽  
Sophie Handler ◽  
Chris Phillipson
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
New Approaches ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Voluntary Workers ◽  
Economic Austerity ◽  
The Impact

Chapter 14 present a 10 point ‘Manifesto for Change’, drawing upon arguments and perspectives developed by the contributors to this book. Despite the expansion of the WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities, the chapter argues, challenges remain in responding to the growth of inequality and the impact of economic austerity on policies targeted at older people. Given this context, it becomes especially important to develop a framework for action which strengthens commitment to the primary goal of making environments responsive to the diverse needs of people as they age. The aim of the manifesto is to sharpen debate in the age-friendly field as well as encourage new approaches amongst the various stakeholders, including urban planners, community developers, health and social care professionals, policy-makers, NGOs, voluntary workers, and not least, older people themselves.

scholarly journals Does a social prescribing ‘holistic’ link-worker for older people with complex, multimorbidity improve well-being and frailty and reduce health and social care use and costs? A 12-month before-and-after evaluation

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Elston ◽  
Felix Gradinger ◽  
Sheena Asthana ◽  
Caroline Lilley-Woolnough ◽  
Sue Wroe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Patient Activation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Social Prescribing ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Aim: To evaluate the impact of ‘holistic’ link-workers on service users’ well-being, activation and frailty, and their use of health and social care services and the associated costs. Background: UK policy is encouraging social prescribing (SP) as a means to improve well-being, self-care and reduce demand on the NHS and social services. However, the evidence to support this policy is generally weak and poorly conceptualised, particularly in relation to frail, older people and patient activation. Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, an integrated care organisation, commissioned a Well-being Co-ordinator service to support older adults (≥50 years) with complex health needs (≥2 long-term conditions), as part of its service redesign. Methods: A before-and-after study measuring health and social well-being, activation and frailty at 12 weeks and primary, community and secondary care service use and cost at 12 months prior and after intervention. Findings: Most of the 86 participants achieved their goals (85%). On average health and well-being, patient activation and frailty showed a statistically significant improvement in mean score. Mean activity increased for all services (some changes were statistically significant). Forty-four per cent of participants saw a decrease in service use or no change. Thirteen high-cost users (>£5000 change in costs) accounted for 59% of the overall cost increase. This was largely due to significant, rapid escalation in morbidity and frailty. Co-ordinators played a valuable key-worker role, improving the continuity of care, reducing isolation and supporting carers. No entry-level participant characteristic was associated with change in well-being or service use. Larger, better conceptualised, controlled studies are needed to strengthen claims of causality and develop national policy in this area.

scholarly journals 532 CARING FOR AND CARING ABOUT OLDER PEOPLE LIVING WITH SEVERE FRAILTY DURING COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii8-ii13
Author(s):  
R Green ◽  
H King ◽  
C Nicholson
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Older People ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Poor Access ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Video And Audio ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction An ongoing study collected survey and interview data from older people with frailty living in the community near end-of-life during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods Unstructured interviews with older people with frailty living in the community (N = 10), which included accounts from unpaid carers (N = 5), were video and audio recorded between October–November 2021. Six of these older people have died since fieldwork completion. A face-to-face survey collected data from a further 10 older people. Participants ages ranged from 70–99, 11, men, and 9 women, living in owned, rented, or sheltered accommodation, with Clinical Frailty Scores of 6 (N = 8), 7 (N = 9), and 8 (N = 3). Results Topics raised in relation to the pandemic included loss of social contact and increased loneliness, concern about not physically getting out, and losing physical function. Older people struggled to gain access to health and social care for support and previously received services were withdrawn. Most participants did not have access to internet and relied heavily on families to facilitate virtual contact with health professionals. Families and friends were the main anchor in facilitating social and health care including chasing up medications, liaising with social care to ensure quality and consistency of care provided, and monitoring older people’s health. Where older people’s conditions worsened family provided intense support, though family carers described the strain and unsustainability of this provision. Older people and their families felt they had been forgotten. Conclusions These are insights from hard-to-reach population that are frequently invisible. Greater examination of the impact of using communication technologies in care provision on those with poor access to and capabilities with using these technologies is required. Unpaid carers need more information and resources to support the care they provide and to facilitate access to appropriate social and health care services for those they care for.

“Something to get out of bed for”: creative arts for a happily ageing population

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 190-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Cann
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Creative Arts ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to relate the growing body of evidence about the impact of creative arts on the health and well-being of older people to the debate about active ageing, prevention and demographic change. Design/methodology/approach It draws on a range of researched examples in order to illustrate the impact of three different art forms – singing, dance and visual arts – on health and well-being. Findings The evidence exists in increasing volume and diversity that creative arts not only improve personal feelings of well-being but also key physiological measures. The arts are increasingly recognised as playing a major potential role in the delivery of health and social care interventions. Greater recognition and action are needed from policy makers, commissioners and care providers in health and social care that the arts are not a marginal and elitist avenue but a mainstream tool supporting older people to remain active, healthy and independent. Importantly, they represent a powerful source of motivation, agency and confidence. Social implications It argues that creative arts should become an integral and more prominent part of ageing policy. The evidence exists in increasing volume and diversity that creative arts not only improve personal feelings of well-being but also key physiological measures. The arts are increasingly recognised as playing a major potential role in the delivery of health and social care interventions. Greater recognition and action are needed from policy makers, commissioners and care providers in health and social care that the arts are not a marginal and elitist avenue but a mainstream tool supporting older people to remain active, healthy and independent. Importantly, they represent a powerful source of motivation, agency and confidence. Originality/value An important research challenge remains, namely to plot cause (arts intervention) and effect (reduced demand on health and care services), if the creative arts are to occupy a central place in commissioning investment at a time of acute financial stringency in the public sector.

Do digital technologies enhance older people’s access to health and social care: a rapid review of reviews. (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tafadzwa Patience Kunonga ◽  
Gemma Frances Spiers ◽  
Fiona Beyer ◽  
Elisabeth Boulton ◽  
Alex Hall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
First Contact ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic prompted rapid implementation of new and existing digital technologies to facilitate access to health and care services during physical distancing. Older people may be disadvantaged, if they are unable to use smartphones, tablets, computers or other technologies. OBJECTIVE In this study, we synthesise evidence on the impact of digital technologies on older adults’ access to health and social services. METHODS We conducted a rapid review of systematic reviews, identified using comprehensive searches of six databases (January 2000 to October 2019). We looked for reviews in a population of adults aged ≥ 65 years in any setting, reporting outcomes related to the impact of technologies on access to health and social care services. RESULTS Seven systematic reviews met the inclusion criteria, providing data from 77 randomised controlled trials and 50 observational studies. All synthesised findings from low-quality primary studies, two using robust review methods. A majority of reviews focussed on digital technologies to facilitate remote delivery of care, including consultations and therapy. No studies examined technologies used for first contact access to care, such as online appointment scheduling. Overall, we found no reviews of technology to facilitate first contact access to health and social care such as online appointment booking systems for older populations. CONCLUSIONS The impact of digital technologies on equitable access to services for older people is unclear. Research is urgently needed into the positive and negative consequences, with identification of the groups most vulnerable to exclusion.

scholarly journals Social care and health outcomes in ageing: exploring measures of multimorbidity

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Henery
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Complex Needs ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundThe older population within developed countries is increasing, leading to increased pressure on health services. Most of this demographic have multiple conditions (multimorbidity), which is difficult to measure in a methodological context. In Scotland, efforts are being made to integrate health and social care under one body in order to provide a person-centred environment where older people with complex needs receive tailored care. In this context it is important to consider the effect of social care in conjunction with multimorbidity on health outcomes to target care provision. ObjectivesThis study intends to determine which is the best tool for predicting both mortality and care uptake amongst older people. The effect of care on mortality in conjunction with multimorbidity is also considered. This study also attempts to derive the best predictive model for both mortality and care uptake, using additional explanatory variables such as deprivation. MethodsThis quantitative longitudinal study uses a linked SMR admissions and social care census dataset from 2010-2015. It considers the impact of multiple measures of multimorbidity (such as ICD-10 flagged condition indices or prescription scores) on outcomes such as mortality, receipt of informal care or admissions using nested logistic regression models with summary statistics such as the AIC, BIC, R-squared and ROC curve. Projected resultsBased on literature, it is hypothesised that diagnosis-based indices (such as the Charlson Index) will perform best at predicting mortality, whilst prescription-based scores (such as the Chronic Disease Score) will perform best at predicting admissions.

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