Welfare Reform on the Web (August 1999): Care of the Elderly - UK
BEST VALUE : A BETTER LIFE FOR OLDER PEOPLE
C. Hislop
Housing, Care and Support, vol. 2, no. 1, March 1999, p.8-11
Describes a best value pilot project run by Southampton City Council. The project emphasises safety in public spaces and income maximisation for older people as well as a broader investigation into ways of improving the quality of life of older people in the City.
BOTTOMLEY GOES IN TO BAT FOR VOLUNTARY AND PRIVATE CARE PROVIDERS
Anon
Caring Times, April 1999, p. 3
Sweeping reforms to protect voluntary residential homes from a looming financial crisis are being sought by former Tory Health Secretary Virginia Bottomley. Changes include stopping councils flouting court decisions on fees, indemnifying charity trustees and extending the scope of the late payment laws.
ELDERLY PEOPLE
T. Harding
Research Matters, issue 7, 1999, p. 14-18
While it is widely recognised that it is desirable that service users are given a say is how their services are delivered, it does not often happen. This is particularly true in the area of work with elderly people. Article reviews research on participation conducted by and involving older people themselves.
A HIDDEN SCANDAL
J. Cook
Caring Times, April 1999, p. 13
Care of people with dementia could be vastly improved by increased numbers of appropriately trained staff being available to help. However this would be expensive and society has proved unwilling to pay the costs.
REACTION TO NEW STANDARDS
Anon
Registered Homes and Services, vol. 3, 1999, p. 145
Summaries comment on the Centre for Policy on Ageing's report on national standards for residential and nursing home care of the elderly. The Independent Healthcare Association expressed the hope for a full and extensive consultation with independent homes. The National Care Homes Association and Registered Nursing Homes Association expressed disappointment that the CPA's standards had largely ignored the views of provider groups.
THE VALUE OF QUALITY
L. Green
Community Care no. 1267, 1999 p, 19
Argues that improving the quality of long term care for the elderly, irrespective of cost, should become the focus of debate. The next generation of older people will be much more discerning about the standards of care they are prepared to accept.
WHAT PRICE THE RULE OF LAW?
J. Shearer
Caring Times, April 1999, p. 14
Argues that the local authority has a duty in law to arrange and pay for the care of all those who have been assessed as requiring residential or nursing home care. However, when they come to place someone, they can look at their financial position and decide whether they can afford to make the placement. When that local authority is setting budgets for the following year, it must take into account all the information available to it. If it knowingly and deliberately sets a budget that is too small for it to fulfil its legal obligations, then it may be setting a budget that is outside statute.