Welfare reform on the Web (March 2007): Care of the elderly - UK

Performance indicators in social care for older people

D. Challis, P. Clarkson, R. Warburton

Aldershot: Ashgate, 2006

For social care organisations it is increasingly a requirement that data is available to make performance review possible. This book reviews the historical development and measurement issues of performance indicators within social care and the public sector for older people. The book provides an organising framework within which organisations can arrange their performance appraisal for older people’s services. It examines the process of developing local performance measures and engaging staff in enquiry and quality management; and reviews the process of development of performance indicators and their utilisation at an agency level.

Safe as houses? Aging in place and vulnerable older people in the UK

R. Means

Social Policy and Administration, vol.41, 2007, p.65-85

In most developed countries, including the UK, there is a strong policy emphasis on older people staying in their own homes for as long as possible. This article draws on three different studies of vulnerable older people to illustrate the problematic nature of “aging in place” for three minority groups: older homeless people, older people in the private rented sector and owner-occupiers with dementia.

Take the initiative

M. Lloyd

Community Care, Feb. 1st - 7th 2007, p.32-33

In 2006 the Greenwich Neighbourhood Resource Centres for older people were awarded the national Best Operational PFI Award. The centres provide residential, nursing, intermediate, and day care and specialist services for minority ethnic elders. They were built by a consortium consisting of the not-for-profit care company Ashley Homes and private sector partners. This article shows how the best elements of the private and voluntary sectors were combined.

Two bodies, one voice

J. Manthorpe and S. Iliffe

Community Care, Jan. 25th - 31st 2007, p. 30-31

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and the Social Care Institute for Excellence have issued joint guidelines on dementia care. These are an invaluable source of evidence and advice for social workers, but will also be used by inspectors, service users and carers to assess the quality of care.