Accessing care coordination information: the non-statutory sector contribution
Abstract
Purpose
The provision of information and advice for older people arranging their own care is a policy objective. The purpose of this paper is to explore the range and scope of web-based information about care coordination activities for older people in the non-statutory sector in England.
Design/methodology/approach
Non-statutory organisations were identified through a structured internet search. Services were screened to identify those providing at least one care coordination activity. A postal survey of services was conducted in 2014 and results compared with the initial findings of the web search.
Findings
Almost 300 services were identified, most of which were provided by three organisations: Age UK; Alzheimer’s Society; and the British Red Cross. Brokerage was the most frequently reported care coordination activity; the majority of services focussed on help to stay at home; and carers and older people (including those with dementia) were the target groups most often identified. Comparison of the two information sources revealed a significant agreement between two care coordination’s activities: compiling support plans and monitoring and review.
Research limitations/implications
Findings are based on a purposive sample of organisations and therefore care must be exercised in generalising from them.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first to systematically explore the nature and extent of information about care coordination activities provided by the non-statutory sector in England. It was conducted when policy advocated both an increased role for the non-statutory sector and an increase in self-directed support.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) School for Social Care Research (SSCR). The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR SSCR or the Department of Health, the NIHR or the NHS.
Citation
Jasper, R., Hughes, J., Sutcliffe, C., Abendstern, M., Loynes, N. and Challis, D. (2016), "Accessing care coordination information: the non-statutory sector contribution", Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, Vol. 17 No. 4, pp. 263-271. https://doi.org/10.1108/QAOA-07-2015-0033
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited