Sense of Security Most Important for Older People Receiving Care at Home
Older people living at home believe they get more effective healthcare services when they have a sense of security and continuity of care through a key or specific professional, according to a new study led by researchers from the University of Hertfordshire. The study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research (NIHR HS&DR) Programme.
One of the main challenges facing the NHS is how best to address the care and treatment needs of older people. England’s population is both growing and ageing as people live longer. Latest figures show that by mid-2011 England’s population was at its highest level, at an estimated 53.1 million, of which 8.7 million people were aged 65 or over and 1.2 million were 85 or over. Older people are at high risk for developing chronic illnesses and related disabilities, and those living at home with these complex health problems and disabilities are at high risk of unplanned hospital admission. They often rely on good inter-professional working - a combination of support from doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and social workers, as well as care workers employed by private businesses.
Professor Claire Goodman, University of Hertfordshire, said: “Healthcare professionals try hard to work together as an integrated team to provide a good standard of care. But, with different approaches to inter-professional working, we are beginning to understand more about the impact on the health and well-being from the patient’s perspective and which approach achieves the best outcomes.
“Older people taking part in our study said that services are most effective for them when there is continuity of care through a specific professional. This gives a sense of security and trust, and brings in other services and treatment at points of crisis. More importantly, with a key professional to speak to about their healthcare, the older person and their family can be more involved in reviews and decisions.”
The three year study is published by the National Institute for Health Research. It was led by Claire Goodman at the University of Hertfordshire in collaboration with St. George’s University of London, Kingston University, University College London, King’s College London and University of Surrey.
ENDS
For more information, please contact Julie Cooper, University of Hertfordshire Press Office on 01707 284095, Email: j.cooper5@herts.ac.uk
Notes to Editor
About the University of Hertfordshire
The University is the UK’s leading business-facing university and an exemplar in the sector. It is innovative and enterprising and challenges individuals and organisations to excel. The University of Hertfordshire is one of the region’s largest employers with over 2,300 staff and a turnover of almost £231 million.
With a student community of over 27,700 including more than 2,900 international students from over eighty-five different countries, the University has a global network of over 170,000 alumni.
The University of Hertfordshire was awarded ‘Entrepreneurial University of the Year 2010’ by the Times Higher Education (THE) and ranks in the top 4% of all universities in the world according to the recent THE, World University Rankings.
For more information, please visit www.herts.ac.uk
Did you know….? 10% of all known planets were discovered by University of Hertfordshire astronomers – We are pioneering!
Find out more at go.herts.ac.uk/didyouknow
About the National Institute of Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research Programme
The National Institute of Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research (NIHR HS&DR) Programme was established to fund a broad range of research. It builds on the strengths and contributions of two NIHR research programmes: the Health Services Research (HSR) Programme and the Service Delivery and Organisation (SDO) Programme, which merged in January 2012. The programme aims to produce rigorous and relevant evidence on the quality, access and organisation of health services, including costs and outcomes. The programme will enhance the strategic focus on research that matters to the NHS. The HS&DR programme is funded by the NIHR, with specific contributions from the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) in Scotland and the National Institute for Social Care and Health Research (NISCHR) in Wales. www.netscc.ac.uk/hsdr/
About the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is funded by the Department of Health to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. Since its establishment in April 2006, the NIHR has transformed research in the NHS. It has increased the volume of applied health research for the benefit of patients and the public, driven faster translation of basic science discoveries into tangible benefits for patients and the economy, and developed and supported the people who conduct and contribute to applied health research. The NIHR plays a key role in the Government’s strategy for economic growth, attracting investment by the life-sciences industries through its world-class infrastructure for health research. Together, the NIHR people, programmes, centres of excellence and systems represent the most integrated health research system in the world. For further information, visit the NIHR website (www.nihr.ac.uk ).
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