Abstract
The aim of this report is to inform debate about the transformation of social care and to produce a set of specific messages about and for rural communities based on evidence from rural areas. While personalised social care has many definitions and the details are only emerging, it is clearly relevant to the lives of rural older people and their communities. This report examines the likely impact of the personalisation of social care on older people living in rural areas and those supporting them. It focuses on the development of personal budgets since this area is more developed than others and will be fundamental to promoting greater independence and wellbeing in later life. Despite the potential ramifications of the personalisation of social care on the lives of older people in rural areas this report is the first detailed consideration of these issues. It calls for the Department of Health
and its partner agencies to ‘rural proof’ their social care policies and programmes, to ensure they recognise and address rural circumstances. Similarly, it recommends the medium and long-term effects of the personalisation of social care are monitored and assessed to ensure equitable outcomes in rural areas. The report shows that it will be important to examine the impact of
personalisation in rural areas on resource allocations, community social cohesion and the social care workforce. It identifies the vital role the voluntary sector will play in supporting the personalisation of social care and reveals the need for local government to work in partnership with outside agencies, including rural interest groups, on the personalisation of services. It highlights the need to listen and learn from the experiences of older people themselves and draws attention to the role of older people’s forums and other advocacy groups in transmitting the benefits of the
personalisation of social care.
and its partner agencies to ‘rural proof’ their social care policies and programmes, to ensure they recognise and address rural circumstances. Similarly, it recommends the medium and long-term effects of the personalisation of social care are monitored and assessed to ensure equitable outcomes in rural areas. The report shows that it will be important to examine the impact of
personalisation in rural areas on resource allocations, community social cohesion and the social care workforce. It identifies the vital role the voluntary sector will play in supporting the personalisation of social care and reveals the need for local government to work in partnership with outside agencies, including rural interest groups, on the personalisation of services. It highlights the need to listen and learn from the experiences of older people themselves and draws attention to the role of older people’s forums and other advocacy groups in transmitting the benefits of the
personalisation of social care.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Place of Publication | Cheltenham |
| Publisher | Commission for Rural Communities |
| Commissioning body | Commission for Rural Communities |
| Number of pages | 46 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Aug 2008 |