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A Better Life – What Older People with High Support Needs Want and Value. Jeanne Katz, Caroline Holland and Sheila Peace Faculty of Health & Social Care. Published November 2011. Focus on older people with high support needs Other Better Life publications:
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A Better Life – What Older People with High Support Needs Want and Value Jeanne Katz, Caroline Holland and Sheila Peace Faculty of Health & Social Care
Published November 2011 Focus on older people with high support needs Other Better Life publications: http://www.jrf.org.uk/work/workarea/better-life
Why do we know so little? • People with different priorities; an invisible grouping • Communication: dementia, dual sensory problems • Focus on health and social care needs, not quality of life • Diversity of communication issues - language and cultural barriers not adequately addressed • Older people with high support needs often isolated and not enabled to engage collectively
What is valued by this group? • Social: Relationships: maintaining and making new friendships; interacting in different ways, especially mental stimulation to maintain cultural activities; opportunities to contribute through diverse roles • Psychological: Self determination, deciding which decisions to make themselves and which to devolve; desire for continuity or support to adjust to change • Physical: Living in a safe, secure environment, even if this means compromise. Getting out and about; contact with nature and the outdoors
Social interaction I like meeting with people, when I came to the day centre I felt like a new person … I come here two days a week, the day centre is part of like a family, I relax and I’m comfortable here.. to communicate with other people, you don’t want to stay at home on your own, you want to come and have a chat, and laugh, and do any activities going, I does painting, and art, I normally does art, craft, it make you felt you’re somebody, when you’re doing something. Gertrude 74, who receives transport to attend a black elders’ community centre in London
What helps or hinders HELPS: • Continuity of Care and Support: Friendly carers who provide appropriate and respectful support; clear communication. • Dedicated Time: Clearly defined quantity and quality time so that biography acknowledged and needs met. HINDERS: • Inadequate information about available services or financial support. Urgent needs not addressed such as equipment which could transform their lives: mobility, visual or hearing aids, or access to internet or loops.
A Model to Explore What People Want and value • Enabling expression of their priorities over those of services or policies • Possible uses: • as a prompt • in training • commissioning • research
Contact:Dr Jeanne KatzFaculty of Health and Social Care,The Open University, Walton HallMilton Keynes, MK7 6AA www.open.ac.uk j.t.katz@open.ac.uk