Promoting self-directed support for people living with dementia: overcoming the challenges

David Moore; Kirsty Jones

doi:10.1108/20420911111142731

Document Information:
Title:	Promoting self-directed support for people living with dementia: overcoming the challenges
Author(s):	David Moore, (Adults' Services, West Sussex County Council, Chichester, UK), Kirsty Jones, (Adults' Services, West Sussex County Council, Chichester, UK)
Citation:	David Moore, Kirsty Jones, (2011) "Promoting self-directed support for people living with dementia: overcoming the challenges", Social Care and Neurodisability, Vol. 2 Iss: 2, pp.66 - 70
Keywords:	Adults, Budgets, Dementia, Mental health problems, Social care facilities, Social service recipients
Article type:	Research paper
DOI:	10.1108/20420911111142731 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Acknowledgements:	The authors would like to thank all the people living with dementia and the dedicated staff from WSCC who have helped with the production of this paper.
Abstract:	Purpose – This paper aims to discuss the use of self-directed supported as a way of empowering people living with dementia to have greater control over the support they need. Design/methodology/approach – The authors interviewed social care staff and people living with dementia about their use of self-directed support. Findings – There have been a number of challenges with making self-directed support a reality for people with dementia, including the paperwork that can be involved and the time spent setting up a service. However, West Sussex County Council is working on solutions to make sure that self-directed support becomes a reality for people living with dementia. Originality/value – The paper highlights some of the positives and obstacles that staff and people living with dementia have faced regarding the use of self-directed support within West Sussex and the ways that these issues are being overcome.