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A Better Life for Older People with High Support Needs

This publication focuses on the needs, wants, and values of older people with high support needs. It addresses the challenges faced by this group, such as communication barriers, social isolation, and lack of collective engagement. The publication highlights what is valued by this group in terms of social, psychological, and physical well-being. It also explores factors that help or hinder their quality of life. This model can be used as a prompt, in training, commissioning, or research. Published by the Faculty of Health & Social Care in November 2011.

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A Better Life for Older People with High Support Needs

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  1. 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

  2. Published November 2011 Focus on older people with high support needs Other Better Life publications: http://www.jrf.org.uk/work/workarea/better-life

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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.

  7. 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

  8. 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

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