Fixing the broken image of care homes, could a ‘care home innovation centre’ be the answer?

Hockley, J., Burton, J. K. , Watson, J., Randall, M. and Murray, S. (2017) Fixing the broken image of care homes, could a ‘care home innovation centre’ be the answer? Age and Ageing, 46(2), pp. 175-178. (doi: 10.1093/ageing/afw154) (PMID:27609210)

[img]
Preview
Text
168189.pdf - Accepted Version

244kB

Abstract

The UK has many excellent care homes that provide high-quality care for their residents; however, across the care home sector, there is a significant need for improvement. Even though the majority of care homes receive a rating of ‘good’ from regulators, still significant numbers are identified as requiring ‘improvement’ or are ‘inadequate’. Such findings resonate with the public perceptions of long-term care as a negative choice, to be avoided wherever possible—as well as impacting on the career choices of health and social care students. Projections of current demographics highlight that, within 10 years, the part of our population that will be growing the fastest will be those people older than 80 years old with the suggestion that spending on long-term care provision needs to rise from 0.6% of our Gross Domestic Product in 2002 to 0.96% by 2031. Teaching/research-based care homes have been developed in the USA, Canada, Norway, the Netherlands and Australia in response to scandals about care, and the shortage of trained geriatric healthcare staff. There is increasing evidence that such facilities help to reduce inappropriate hospital admissions, increase staff competency and bring increased enthusiasm about working in care homes and improve the quality of care. Is this something that the UK should think of developing? This commentary details the core goals of a Care Home Innovation Centre for training and research as a radical vision to change the culture and image of care homes, and help address this huge public health issue we face.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Burton, Dr Jenni
Authors: Hockley, J., Burton, J. K., Watson, J., Randall, M., and Murray, S.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
Journal Name:Age and Ageing
Publisher:Oxford University Press
ISSN:0002-0729
ISSN (Online):1468-2834
Published Online:08 September 2016
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 The Authors
First Published:First published in Age and Ageing 46(2):175-178
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record