To read this content please select one of the options below:

Integrating housing with care for older people

Imogen Blood (Imogen Blood & Associates Ltd, Manchester, UK)

Journal of Integrated Care

ISSN: 1476-9018

Article publication date: 2 August 2013

902

Abstract

Purpose

The research explored the way in which different services, providers and other key players work together in housing with care (HWC) schemes and the impact of this on the quality of life of the older people living in them, especially those with high support needs.

Methods

This qualitative study included interviews with 47 residents and five relatives at 19 private and not‐for‐profit schemes across the UK and 52 professionals from provider, statutory and other relevant organisations.

Findings

Most participants were very satisfied with the services in HWC but a third described problems linked to “boundary” issues, where gaps, delays or confusion had arisen at the interface between teams, organisations or professional groups. Gaps often occurred where tasks were relatively small: they affected the quality of life of older people with high support needs but did not necessarily outweigh the benefits of living in HWC.

Practical implications

We identify ways of improving integrated working in HWC and beyond. The paper is relevant to those commissioning and providing services to older people and to all those with an interest in integrating care and housing.

Originality/value

This is the first UK‐wide, cross‐sector study to focus specifically on the boundaries between roles and responsibilities and their impact on residents in HWC.

Keywords

Citation

Blood, I. (2013), "Integrating housing with care for older people", Journal of Integrated Care, Vol. 21 No. 4, pp. 178-187. https://doi.org/10.1108/JICA-06-2013-0017

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles