bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical Psychiatry
Authors: Middleton Hugh
Published: September 2011

Critical psychiatry appraises and comments upon psychiatric services as they are usually provided. This article, prompted by the publication of a recent book, considers the place of critical psychiatry historically and in the context of contemporary mental health care and treatment.
Sex Sells, But Does it Help? A Survey of Media Coverage in a Medium Secure Unit Treating Sex Offenders
Authors: Sen Piyal , Adeleke Deji
Published: September 2011

This article reports on a study designed to review the media coverage of patients in a medium secure unit and to demonstrate the value to such units of having a media strategy. Most of the patients in the study had a history of sexually motivated offending, a significant proportion against children. The pattern of a typical media report and the organisational response is discussed, while broader political developments over the study period are noted.
Mental Health Legislation in South Asia with Special Reference to India: Shortcomings and Solutions
Authors: Trivedi J , Narang Puneet , Dhyani Mohan
Published: September 2011

Mental health legislation codifies and consolidates fundamental principles, values, goals, objectives and mental health policy. Such legislation is essential to guarantee that the dignity of patients is preserved and that their fundamental rights are protected. This article considers legislation in south Asia, specifically the Mental Health Act in India, and argues that the act has shortcomings that serve as a barrier to mental health services. The authors argue for a modern mental health law that gives priority to protecting the rights of people with mental disorder, promotes development of community‐based care and improves access.
The Secondary Family: The Result of Strong Community Partnering
Authors: Cant Irene
Published: September 2011

Support for individualism can leave marginalised people feeling even more isolated and hopeless. Families often attempt to help but can soon become emotionally depleted. The ‘secondary family’, created when community agencies partner with one another, can offer hope for stabilisation, if not recovery, for individuals living with mental illness. This article describes a Canadian programme where crisis services are working with police to de‐escalate psychiatric crisis. Shared goals bring crisis staff and police together to provide compassion, support and follow‐up.
Personality Disorder: Still Everybody's Business?
Authors: Pidd Frankie , Feigenbaum Janet
Published: September 2011

Abstract This article summarises criteria that can lead to a diagnosis of personality disorder before considering the impact on personality disorder of specific interventions and policy initiatives designed to ensure that services respond to need.
A Capable Workforce: Progress and Problems
Authors: Duggan Maria
Published: September 2011

Abstract Steps have been taken towards improving the support given by the mental health workforce to those with personality disorder. But there is more to be done. This article argues that personality disorder is a significant public health challenge and not simply an issue for mental health and criminal justice services.
Working Upstream: Preventative Approaches to Personality Disorder
Authors: Marriott Ruth , Jones Alan , Martin Tasim
Published: September 2011

Abstract This paper examines in detail the work of two community personality disorder pilot projects whose aim is largely preventative. It will be some time before the impact of the projects can be determined but both are innovative and raise questions about the ability of services to offer early intervention to those with personality disorder.
Lessons Learned from an Evaluation of Dedicated Community‐based Services for People with Personality Disorder
Authors: Crawford Mike , Rutter Deborah
Published: September 2011

Abstract This paper summarises some of the key messages from a project commissioned by the National Co‐ordinating Centre for NHS Service Delivery and Organisation and conducted by researchers from Imperial College London, University College London, King's College London and the Mental Health Foundation. An electronic copy of the full report will be made available by the Service Delivery and Organisation programme in December 2007 and can be downloaded via www.sdo.Ishtm.ac.uk.
Becoming Conscious in an Unconscious World: New Paradigm for Mental Health and Global Community
Authors: Frattaroli Elio
Published: September 2011

Hamlet, Shakespeare's Everyman, is used to describe how paying heed to disturbing emotions can be used as a starting point for ‘healing the soul’. With reference to the events of September 11 2001, the author explores how quick‐fix reactions are likely to bring only short‐term solutions, whereas resolving difficult problems requires a ‘blessed feeling of connectedness’ with deeper feelings.
Images of ‘the Other’: Exploring the Concept in a Case Study of Pharmaceutical Advertising
Authors: Shaw Ian
Published: September 2011

The ‘other’ is a central concept in much of sociology, psychology and philosophy, and is useful in explaining the social exclusion and stigmatisation of people suffering from mental health problems. This paper first defines the concept and then applies it to a case study analysis of pharmaceutical advertising aimed at general practitioners. The paper also explores the way in which advertising may exploit professional insecurities and own self‐image. It is argued that this is undertaken in ways that do not put the person with mental illness in the forefront.
Contemporary Challenges in Forensic Mental Health: The Ingenuity of the Multidisciplinary Team
Authors: Orovwuje Palmer
Published: September 2011

Various attempts have been made to understand and resolve the enduring lack of cohesiveness of multidisciplinary teams (MDTs), their dysfunctional service delivery and the feelings of distress among some of the professionals who work in them. Distortions in forensic MDTs have sometimes compromised service delivery and effective risk management. Several public inquiries relating to high‐profile incidents in forensic mental health have noted the role of dysfunctional MDTs. This paper describes the philosophy, structure, functions and achievements of a forensic community MDT in Wellington, New Zealand. It explains a model of care that is adaptable, comprehensive, effective and evidence‐based. It highlights the role of the extended MDT and embedded cultural units from which care professionals work together, share a common philosophy of care and tailor their care to the needs of the individuals or populations they serve.
Problem Solving Therapy for People with Personality Disorders: An Overview
Authors: McMurran Mary , Nezu Arthur , Nezu Christine
Published: September 2011

The National Institute for Mental Health in England's (2003) paper, Personality Disorder: No Longer a Diagnosis of Exclusion, led to a need for effective treatments for people with personality disorders. Problem‐solving therapy (PST) is an appropriate treatment because, rather than trying to change basic personality structure, the aim is to help people with personality disorder to learn new skills to manage their emotional dysregulation and to work within their abilities to cope more effectively with life's problems. This overview describes the underpinning model of social problem‐solving and explains how PST aims to assist with problem‐solving difficulties.
‘Strengths’ Assertive Outreach: A Review of Seven Practice Development Programmes
Authors: Morgan Steve
Published: September 2011

Assertive outreach is based on extensive international research and has been promoted in the UK in 1999 as a key area of the National Service Framework for Mental Health. Its primary aim is to provide a specialist service for people disengaged from traditional approaches of mental health services, but very little attention has been paid to how such services can be developed. Practice Based Evidence, a practice development consultancy, has engaged seven assertive outreach teams to focus on development first, and follow‐up evaluation of the impact of reflective practice on team functioning. This has prompted a number of strengths‐based recommendations for changing the way we think about developing services before we engage in research and evaluation.
Imprisonment for Public Protection: Genesis and Mental Health Implications
Authors: Rutherford Max
Published: September 2011

Imprisonment for public protection (IPP) has been the subject of much attention and some controversy since its implementation in April 2005. High numbers of IPP prisoners, combined with a low release rate, have meant that IPP has had a significant impact on the prison population. This paper charts the genesis of IPP and its historical antecedents. It also explores IPP as an exemplar of the ‘rise of risk’ and focuses on its links to the ‘dangerous severe personality disorder’ pilots. It presents two hypotheses on the mental health implications of IPP.
Education as an Exit Strategy for Community Mental Health Nurses: A Thematic Analysis of Narratives
Authors: Crawford Paul , Brown Brian , Majomi Pam
Published: September 2011

A study of the narratives of community mental health nurses, with an emphasis on education and training, identified education as offering a ‘stepping stone’ out of a profession that struggles for recognition and status. This paper describes those narratives and the challenges facing healthcare organisations seeking to assimilate and retain the talent of those who have achieved academic success. The authors suggest that encouraging an expertise that integrates academic and practice skills might be achieved through more widespread appointment of clinical professorships.
Job Satisfaction Among Psychiatrists: An Urgent Area For Research
Authors: Kumar Shailesh
Published: September 2011

In most cases job satisfaction serves as a protective factor against burnout and the negative consequences of stress at work. Psychiatrists are reported to experience high prevalence of burnout yet their ability to enjoy work and derive satisfaction from it appears not to be impaired. This paper examines this anomaly and the factors that may affect job satisfaction. The consequences of job satisfaction on variables such as staff retention is examined and a comparative account of various rating scales for job satisfaction is presented.
Computerised Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Phobias and Panic Disorder: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ferriter M , Kaltenthaler E , Parry G , Beverley C
Published: September 2011

Phobias and panic disorder are commonly treated within primary care settings. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a recommended treatment for these disorders but access is limited due to too few therapists, expense and patients' reluctance to enter therapy. Computerised CBT (CCBT) is a self‐help option designed to offer patients the potential benefits of CBT with less therapist involvement. The review described here sought to identify studies evaluating the effectiveness of CCBT for phobias and panic disorders.
Service Evaluation of Multidisciplinary Therapy on an Acute Psychiatric Ward
Authors: Gibson Rachel , Novakovic Aleksandra , Francis Katie , McGilloway Kathryn , Adkin Antony , Odekunle Saka
Published: September 2011

This service evaluation study aimed to demonstrate the impact of implementing ward‐based multidisciplinary therapy input on an acute psychiatric ward in a London hospital for a six‐month period. The results indicated a high level of patient engagement with the project and referrals facilitated for patients following discharge. A reduction of incidents on the ward was reported over the project period compared to the previous year and there was less use of containment measures by staff by the end of the project. Recommendations are made for service improvement.
A Theoretical Framework for Goal‐directed Care within the Prison System
Authors: Bulten Erik , Vissers Annelies , Oei Karel
Published: September 2011

Mental health care in prisons involves many stakeholders. As a consequence, the goals involved are divergent but there is no sound theoretical framework that accounts for the complexity of care in prison. This paper considers a broad theory and its conceptual framework that differentiates between prisoners with emotional suffering and those without, the need for care from an objective point of view as opposed to a subjective one, and the need for care related to mental health problems versus care related to limiting recidivism.
Organising Mental Health in Scotland
Authors: Smith‐Merry Jennifer , Freeman Richard , Sturdy Steve
Published: September 2011

This paper reports the first phase of a research project on mental health policy in Scotland that investigates the way knowledge is mobilised in the policy process. In this first phase of the project, the authors' concern has been to map the organisational domain of mental health policy in Scotland, paying attention to the form and structure of agencies and organisations as well as to the relationships between them. The paper describes a set of organisations in which central government is dominant but notes also a range of organisational forms and functions, and a diversity of sources of knowledge, expertise and information on which they draw. A dense network of linkages between agencies is identified.
Are Smoke‐free Buildings and Grounds in Mental Health Units a Realistic Aspiration?
Authors: Pritchard Catherine , McNeill Ann
Published: September 2011

The study evaluated the impact on staff and patient advocates of the implementation of a smoke‐free policy covering buildings and grounds within a mental health trust. Findings show that early consultation is central to the ownership of smoke‐free policies. The degree of success of the implementation of the policy was variable and depended on the availability of tobacco and the type of mental health unit, but the smoke‐free policy provided an opportunity to reduce smoking and hence health inequalities for people with mental health problems.
Research Priorities for ‘Patient‐Centred’ Mental Health Services: Findings From a National Consultation
Authors: Naylor Chris , Samele Chiara , Wallcraft Jan
Published: September 2011

Developing ‘patient‐centred’ health services has become a goal in many countries but little work has been done to identify what research is needed to support the development of such services within mental health. The aim of this study was to consult all relevant stakeholder groups to establish research priorities for developing ‘patient‐centred’ mental health services in the UK. More than 1,000 stakeholders were consulted, including service users, carers and mental health professionals. The consultation identified 12 thematic areas requiring further research. These should be prioritised if services are to become more centred on the needs and aspirations of the people who use them.
Assessing the Impact on Patient Health of Attending a Day Treatment Programme for Eating Disorders
Authors: Wolfe Emma , Ogden Jane , Clare Leigh
Published: September 2011

A repeated measures cohort study was conducted to investigate the impact of attending a day treatment programme on physical and psychological state, and to assess which baseline factors predicted level of recovery. Physical and psychological outcomes of treatment were analysed for 116 patients admitted to the treatment programme between 1996 and 2006 and were found to be in line with previous day care evaluations, with the majority of patients showing improvements on all measures. A multiple regression analysis revealed several factors to be predictive of treatment outcomes including patient demographics, comorbidities and traumatic life events. In particular, those patients who benefited most from the treatment had a lower body mass index at admission, stayed longer at the unit, were older, less likely to have other physical and psychiatric comorbidities, particularly obsessive compulsive disorder or a history of sexual abuse, and whose most predominant eating disorder problem was characterised by low weight.
Qualitative Research into Mental Health: Reflections on Epistemology
Authors: Joseph Stephen , Beer Charlotte , Clarke David , Forman Allan , Pickersgill Martyn , Swift Judy , Taylor John , Tischler Victoria
Published: September 2011

In 2005, the Qualitative Methods in Psychosocial Health Research Group (QMiPHR) at the University of Nottingham was established as a forum to bring together academics, researchers and practitioners with an interest in qualitative methods. The group has provided colleagues in nutrition, psychiatry, psychology, social work and sociology with a forum for discussion around the question of how qualitative research is able to contribute to understanding mental health and the development of evidence‐based treatment. As a group, we asked ourselves where we stood in relation to the use of qualitative methods in mental health. While we are unified in our view that qualitative research is important and under‐utilised in mental health research, our discussions uncovered a range of views on the underlying philosophical stance of what it means to be a qualitative researcher in mental health. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of our discussions and our view that as qualitative approaches have become more widely accepted they have largely been assimilated within the mainstream ‘medical model’ of research. In this paper, we call for researchers to re‐engage with the philosophical discussion on the role and purpose of qualitative enquiry as it applies to mental health, and for practitioners and decision‐makers to be aware of the implicit values underpinning research.
Making it Happen for Everyone: A Reflection on Changing Services for Adults with Learning Disabilities
Authors: Stewart David
Published: September 2011

‘Making it happen for everyone’ is the subtext of Valuing People Now: a new three‐year strategy for people with learning disabilities (Department of Health, 2009). It seems an appropriate time to take stock and learn from those for whom this strategy will be critical how they view the current services provided, what changes they have seen and where they see the future. This article reviews the experiences of a group of adults in an East Midlands city.
The Perspective of a Local Mencap Society
Authors: Smellie Ian
Published: September 2011

These words have been written by a society chairman who has had a limited direct ‘family caring’ role but for the past 10 years has striven, with others, to provide local support for adults and children with learning disabilities, and their carers, and to campaign to the limit of their ability.
Choice for Young People with Learning Disabilities in Post‐education Transition
Authors: Kaehne Axel
Published: September 2011

Governmental policy identifies choice as a central theme for support services to people with learning disabilities. The expansion of options about where to live, what to do and with whom to socialise is seen as a critical benchmark in achieving the vision of full lives for people with learning disabilities. Services are obligated to ensure that people's wants as well as abilities govern decisions on all important issues. As a consequence, young people with learning disabilities in transition are being offered career development options during transition review meetings. The paper will focus on the issues relating to choice during this post‐education transition.The paper will argue that the processes necessary to sustain the capacity of the young person with learning disabilities to choose are not well understood. It will focus on the career choices for young people with learning disabilities during transition and will maintain that the availability of options is only one consideration. The capacity to choose and the types of support that are most effective in facilitating the capacity to choose are equally important. Some conceptual considerations will assist in identifying the shortcomings of current policy and practice.
Individual social capital and psychosis: secondary analysis of AESOP data for Nottingham
Authors: Schneider Justine , Arthur Antony , Doody Gillian , Simpson Jayne , Jones Peter
Published: September 2011

Social capital is a complex and multidimensional construct, which has been used widely in the social sciences, and which focuses attention on non‐monetary resources and relationships. The aim of this analysis study was to test the feasibility of deriving social capital variables from an epidemiological dataset, to explore associations between social capital and psychosis and to investigate the utility of the concept for understanding and treating mental illness. We set out to derive social capital variables from an existing epidemiological study, and tested their associations with first episode psychosis. Associations were found between psychosis and one form of social capital, active engagement in social activities. We conclude that social capital is a promising construct that can be utilised in analysing social dimensions of mental illness. Secondary analysis is possible, but longitudinal surveys with comprehensive measures of social capital and mental health are needed.
Using focus groups and photography to evaluate experiences of social inclusion within rehabilitation adult mental health services
Authors: Felton Anne , Arnold Penny , Fairbank Sarah , Shaw Torsten
Published: September 2011

Tackling the social exclusion of people with mental health problems is a primary concern for contemporary mental health services. A social inclusion network was developed to co‐ordinate a small participatory project arising as part of a practice development initiative. It aimed to examine the experiences of involvement in the community from the perspectives of those using and working in rehabilitation adult mental health services.To gather information three different approaches were used. Networks between rehabilitation services and community resources were identified using a mapping tool whilst focus groups were used to gain more in‐depth perceptions from rehabilitation staff. Finally, a participatory photo project was conducted which involved working with people who use services to capture images of their involvement in their local community. This article reports on the outcomes of the focus groups and photography project.Findings suggested that services reported some success at developing partnerships within the community, but discrimination still remained a significant obstacle. For those people living in the units, social inclusion was an acutely subjective experience in which people continued to experience acceptance and inclusion within mental health services and had made active choices in defining this as their community.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning for research: the experiences of healthy volunteers and patients with remitted depressive illness
Authors: Tischler Victoria , Bronjewski Emma , O'Connor Katherine , Calton Tim
Published: September 2011

We report the findings from a study exploring the experiences of individuals undergoing MRI scanning for research. Semi‐structured interviews took place before and after scanning with 17 participants; 12 were healthy volunteers and five were patients with a diagnosis of remitted depression. Themes of apprehension and curiosity prior to scanning were common in both groups. Patients were often confused about the procedure. Negative feelings were an issue at the outset, characterised by shock related to the physical surroundings, after which positive feelings, for example relaxation, were often experienced, and in the case of patients, learning more about their brain. Written information about imaging was deemed satisfactory; however the ability to ‘experience’ aspects of scanning beforehand was suggested. Scanning may be viewed as a process beginning prior to the procedure itself and involving positive and negative emotions. Increased information, reassurance and a more interactive intervention to reduce anxiety may be beneficial and may improve individuals' experience of this widely used procedure.
Nonlinearity of the effects of police stressors on police officer burnout
Authors: Vuorensyrjä Matti , Mälkiä Matti
Published: September 2011

Purpose

This paper aims to take a look at police‐specific factors of stress – police stressors – and to assess the effects of these factors on police officer burnout. The paper also seeks to test the linearity of these effects.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focuses on four stressors: defective leadership, role conflicts, threat of violence, and time pressure. As a measure of burnout, Bergen Burnout Indicator 15 is used. The data are cross‐section in nature and come from the Police Personnel Barometer (PPB) conducted in Finland in 2008. The PPB‐survey targeted the entire police administration in Finland. The response rate was 67.2 percent (n=6,871). The current paper uses a sub‐sample of police officers (constable rank) from three functional areas of policing (n=2,821).

Findings

Controlling for age, gender, education, shift work, tenure and the function of the police officer, the effects of the different stressors on burnout were all statistically significant. Statistically significant and robust nonlinear effects of the stressors on burnout were also found.

Originality/value

The study introduces a new measure of stress to analyze police work. It takes a preliminary look at the reliability and validity of the measure. The study considers linear as well as nonlinear effects of the stressors on burnout and suggests that the effects under scrutiny are essentially nonlinear.
Extending Lundman's theory on policing: the evidence from the literature focusing on India
Authors: de Guzman Melchor C. , Swaroop Kumar Korni
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine and propose an extension of Lundman's theory. Lundman presented a theoretical framework that predicted the evolution of policing from an informal to a formal type. Essentially, he stated that the types of policing in society were determined by the patterns of solidarity, élite interests, and crimes rates/images of disorder. This research argued that the theory could be extended not only to predict the type of policing but also the quality and quantity of policing. Particularly, this research explored the relationships of the élite interest and the rates/images of criminality to policing practices by examining evidence from the research literature about India.

Design/methodology/approach

Research studies about Indian police practices were extracted from the major western criminology, criminal justice, and policing journals. Using content analyses, two propositions were analyzed. The first proposition was that the evidence from the literature would suggest that threats of the disadvantaged and marginalized groups against the dominant élite groups would influence the quality of policing. The second proposition was that the evidence from the literature would show that rates and images of criminality would influence the quantity of policing.

Findings

Very little quantitative literature exists to examine the propositions using meta‐analysis. The existing policing literature from India that was examined indicated support for the propositions.

Research limitations/implications

As the literature was mostly anecdotal and normative, a more dynamic view of the relationships among the variables should be explored using the positivist approach.

Originality/value

Police characters are influenced by the social order. Systemic reforms often fail because of the obstacles presented by the social and political influences. Therefore, a larger social reform should be undertaken.
Policing isolated Aboriginal communities: perspectives of Canadian officers
Authors: Lithopoulos Savvas , Ruddell Rick
Published: September 2011

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the self‐reported attitudes toward Aboriginal policing of officers in isolated/remote communities with those from accessible Aboriginal communities.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey results are reported for 294 officers working in Aboriginal communities throughout Canada.

Findings

Officers working in remote jurisdictions tended to be younger, better educated, and had less policing experience than those working in non‐isolated Aboriginal communities. Social problems in these remote communities were thought to be more serious than those reported by officers working in accessible Aboriginal communities. Despite these demographic and contextual differences, self‐reported attitudes toward Aboriginal policing were generally similar, although officers working in isolated communities tended to report more conservative views on enforcement.

Research limitations/implications

The generalizability of the results is limited by the modest (40.7 percent) response rate, and the fact that officers working in Aboriginal agencies were less likely to participate than those working for national or provincial police services.

Practical implications

The results suggest that more effective recruiting, training, and retention strategies should be developed for officers working in Aboriginal communities.

Originality/value

This is the first comprehensive study of the perceptions of officers toward Aboriginal policing. While the police in isolated communities represent a small proportion of all law enforcement officers, their insight sheds light on this often misunderstood and under‐researched aspect of law enforcement.
A good death?
Authors: Williamson Toby
Published: September 2011

People want to die at home, not in a health or care setting, but in an environment they love and cherish. This is the people's choice. Ahead of the government's forthcoming End of Life strategy, Toby Williamson comments on this new focus on ‘a good death’ and explores what the strategy may hold and its implications.
Strengthening the law to protect vulnerable adults
Authors: Johnson Dwayne
Published: September 2011

Despite the media spotlight, increased public awareness, extensive research and policies in practice, the systems and processes in place to protect vulnerable adults still need significant strengthening, according to the ADASS. In this article, Dwayne Johnson outlines the seven areas that the ADASS says need priority attention.
My work
Authors: Blewitt Richard
Published: September 2011

In this final article, Richard Blewitt describes his distinguished career to date, which, until joining HelpAge International, had been focused on a variety of issues and generations. From the outset he is very open and honest about his regret for not considering older people more in his previous work. An ambition he is now fulfilling, and with passion, believing that his charity's messages are finally getting through.
Understanding the older traveller: stop, look and listen!
Authors: Marsden Greg , Cattan Mima , Jopson Ann , Woodward Jenny
Published: September 2011

Getting around would be difficult without roads, rail and pedestrian walkways. Despite what we take for granted, the older traveller is often left feeling frustrated by the current transport infrastructure. Based on their research, Dr Greg Marsden et al explore in this article why this is the case, they look at the barriers that prevent older people getting out and about and the considerations when planning transport for the older traveller.
Silver entrepreneurship: new days, new ways
Authors: Cannon Tom
Published: September 2011

Television and the media generally have raised the profile of entrepreneurs and we imagine them to be young, energetic and creative people. Research shows us that the older you are when setting up a business, the greater its chances of success. Here, Professor Tom Cannon puts things in a global perspective and tells us about the challenges that budding silver entrepreneurs face and what is being done in the north of England to remove those barriers.
My Work
Authors: Gandhi Kalyani
Published: September 2011

In this final article, Kalyani Gandhi writes in a personal capacity about her career to date and about the work of her organisation, PRIAE, in seeking solutions and changing policy across a range of areas, including mental health, palliative care and lifelong learning for people from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities.
Explaining about … home improvement agencies' response to an ageing society
Authors: Ramsay Malcolm
Published: September 2011

Since the government published its lifetime homes strategy this year, the focus has shifted to home improvement agencies (HIAs) to help find (some) of the answers to housing an ageing population. In this first article, Malcolm Ramsay, Policy, Communications and Research Manager for Foundations, the national coordinating body for HIAs in England, describes what the future may look like for the sector.
A place to live
Authors: Crosby Gillian , Clark Angela
Published: September 2011

The home improvement agency sector must move up a gear or two as the pace quickens to respond to society's wish to ‘stay put’, even when frailty or ill health set in. Continuing with the housing theme, Gillian Crosby (pictured) and Angela Clark examine the policies that are driving the housing agenda forward and the housing options that are currently available to older people, stressing the need for consultation all the way.
Baby boomers in transition
Authors: Williamson Toby
Published: September 2011

Our first two articles drew attention to how our changing demographics are influencing housing services. Here, in the context of a disappearing retirement age and the growing clout of the baby boomer generation, Toby Williamson discusses whether delivering services that are defined by age is really the best option for all.
Ethnicity and family support
Authors: Willis Rosalind
Published: September 2011

‘They look after their own’ is a phrase with which we are all familiar but to what extent do ethnic and minority groups care for and support their family members? Given the current focus on carers, Rosalind Willis in this article presents the findings of a preliminary study into ethnicity and family support, and highlights that what is generally defined as ‘support’ may perhaps be interpreted differently within and because of different cultures.
Eating disorders are not just a problem for the young
Authors: Taylor Frances
Published: September 2011

John Prescott's admission to suffering from bulimia is just one example of an increasing trend for older people being diagnosed with eating disorders. Frances Taylor from the British Dietetics Association's Nutrition Advisory Group for Elderly People explores some of the reasons why this might be the case.
The cost of living
Authors: Rees Kate
Published: September 2011

Ann Mackay's article highlighted the costs involved in running a care home. Here, Kate Rees tells the other side of the story from her mother's perspective ‐ who changed from an independent retiree to a dependent resident in a nursing home ‐ and illustrates the true cost of living when you can no longer look after yourself.
The cost of unpaid caring
Authors: Fox Alex
Published: September 2011

Caring takes time and, as we know, time costs. With an ageing population that is living longer, there is less time and less money to be allocated to older people. In this article, Alex Fox looks at the role of and contribution made by informal carers to the social care system and says that more should be done to recognise their skills and knowledge as well as better support given to help prevent their ill health, thereby helping to reduce rising formal care costs to local social services.
Individual budgets
Authors: Marsh Caroline
Published: September 2011

Individual budgets allow the service user to take control and make decisions about the care that they receive. Manchester was one of 13 local authority development sites chosen by the Department of Health to trial individual budgets. The pilot has ended but the scheme remains strong. Here, Caroline Marsh describes how one individual's life has been transformed through the power of choice.
My Work
Authors: Humphries Richard
Published: September 2011

Richard Humphries has enjoyed an impressive career, working his way from a trainee social worker in the late 1970s to the Care Services Improvement Partnership where he was Chief Executive until 2007. In this final article, Richard describes his career to date and compares how social care for older people was delivered when he first started out, with now, concluding that while much has been achieved, the job will only be done when we ourselves will be happy to use the services.
Explaining about … mental health and well‐being
Authors: Borrowman Fiona , Dempster Sarah
Published: September 2011

No one knows how to improve mental health and well‐being in later life better than older people themselves, according to the authors of our first article. That is why the underpinning ethos of NHS Health Scotland's Mental Health and Wellbeing in Later Life Programme is about working with older people to ensure that their voices are heard.
Grouchy old men?
Authors: Williamson Toby
Published: September 2011

With the numbers of older men increasing as the population ages, it is not only important to get a better understanding of their health and social care needs, but equally as important to challenge the perceptions that exist of who they are and how they relate to the world. Nowhere is this more important than in relation to their emotional health and well‐being. In this article, Toby Williamson looks at some of these challenges and describes a Mental Health Foundation project that is attempting to address these issues.
Volunteer advocacy with older people who lack mental capacity
Authors: Mapes Neil
Published: September 2011

The Mental Capacity Advocacy Project (MCAP) with older people is a three‐year pilot project funded by the Department of Health and Age Concern England; the pilot phase of this project is due to finish in October 2009. In this article, the MCAP co‐ordinator, Neil Mapes, highlights some of the voices from the project, discusses some of the emerging issues with the Mental Capacity Act (2005), and highlights the MCAP resources and key messages from the work to date.
Partnership in practice: mental health working with general hospital wards
Authors: Ashton Sally , Carter Christine
Published: September 2011

Older people (those aged over 65) occupy a significant proportion of hospital beds, with many suffering from depression, delirium, dementia, anxiety and other conditions. The mainstreaming of mental health liaison teams within general hospitals is therefore to be welcomed. Sally Ashton and Christine Carter explain that the journey towards productive collaboration can take time, but the results are worth it.
Working towards promoting positive mental health and well‐being for older people from BME communities
Authors: Tribe Rachel , Lane Pauline , Heasum Sue
Published: September 2011

This article identifies some of the key issues that need to be considered when trying to promote positive mental health and well‐being for older people from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities. The authors say that while developing a cultural understanding is important for providing good care for BME elders, it is also important to recognise that a number of structural or organisational issues that go beyond language or culture can affect health and access to health. The article also promotes the significant role of voluntary sector organisations in developing culturally appropriate mental health promotion services for BME elders.
How social enterprises can make a difference in caring for older people
Authors: Jones Ceri
Published: September 2011

In the previous article, Louise Close described a workable way forward for social care in the UK. In the first of two articles, Ceri Jones sets out the case for social enterprises: firstly, Ceri explains why they should be the ‘business model of choice’ because of their focus on personalised and cost effective services, and not profit.
A social enterprise that achieves quality through investing in its staff
Authors: Jones Ceri
Published: September 2011

In her second article, Ceri Jones takes us through the history of a social care enterprise in the West Midlands: how its chief executive has worked to turn around the organisation's fortunes by investing in its staff, not by cost‐cutting, which has resulted in higher morale and better care. The story demonstrates that caring is about people, and if you do not train and support those who give, those who receive will only suffer.
Having the time of your life
Authors: Johnstone David
Published: September 2011

In this article, David Johnstone describes an innovative community mentoring service in Devon that is delivering a personalised service to people over 50 who have experienced some kind of downturn in their lives, alongside community capacity building activity that is providing opportunities for many excluded older people in Devon.
Navigating the new social care market place
Authors: West Ivan
Published: September 2011

Riding high on its Beacon status, Warrington Borough Council has been quick to learn the lessons from the 2008 Ibsen report to make substantial improvements in service for its users, despite not being an individual budgets pilot area. Here, Ivan West explains how the local authority has developed its social care marketplace by working with partners, focusing on outcomes and enhancing the role of information to help guide users through this brave new world.
My Work
Authors: Kersley Susan
Published: September 2011

In our final article, we hear the story of how Susan Kersley went from being a retired doctor to a life coach for doctors. Both her experiences as a doctor and her time spent adjusting to life after medicine taught Susan many valuable lessons, which she felt able to use to help others plan and enjoy a fruitful retirement. Susan's story should inspire everyone to not accept the label of ‘older person’ or ‘retired’ as a sole definition of oneself, but rather as the routes to reinvention.
How we can radically improve life for people with dementia
Authors: Chidgey Andrew
Published: September 2011

The Alzheimer's Society has developed a range of services including awareness campaigns, information for people with dementia and carers, peer support networks, dementia advisers and learning and education programmes. In our next article, Andrew Chidgey sets out the current evidence on dementia and advises on some of the big opportunities to change the quality of life for people with dementia. He also explains why the Alzheimer's Society has produced guidance on what commissioners need to consider when commissioning services for people with dementia.
The M Technique® for dementia
Authors: Buckle Jane
Published: September 2011

Touch is one of the fundamental ways that we communicate and relate to people, particularly those who are closest to us. Yet sadly, many people, especially those who are old and have lost loved ones, may go for years without feeling the touch of another person. Started in the US, the M Technique® is being used in a variety of care settings to calm, soothe and reassure patients. Jane Buckle explains how it works and the benefits it gives to people with dementia.
GPS tracking for people with dementia
Authors: McShane Rupert , Skelt Lindsey
Published: September 2011

The ‘people versus technology’ debate is ongoing; and as the social care system becomes ever more cash‐strapped and the shortage of appropriately skilled people continues, so will this debate. One of the emerging uses of technology is the application of satellite technology to monitor the movements of people with dementia, but just how effective is the technology to not only improve the life of the client, but his or her carer too? Here, Rupert McShane and Lindsey Skelt tell of the trials they conducted and what they believe that the next steps should be.
Researching quality of life in old age
Authors: Walker Alan , Martimo Kristiina
Published: September 2011

This article focuses on researching quality of life in old age. Based on a review of the relevant literature, it argues that research has not reflected sufficiently the multifaceted nature of quality of life and has relied too much on the judgements of professionals rather than older people. It concludes that quality of life research in general has under‐emphasised the importance of material factors in people's lives. With regard to older people, research shows that relatively poor quality of life, as reported by older people themselves, is associated with only a minority and, among this minority, twice the proportion of older women to men. The article ends with an outline of the new Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Growing Older Research Programme on Extending Quality Life, which in three years time promises to provide usable information for policy makers and practitioners about the determinants of quality of life in old age.
Accessing and interviewing the oldest old in care homes
Authors: Fisk Malcolm , Wigley Veronica
Published: September 2011

Accessing and interviewing older people in residential and nursing homes (care homes) presents a number of methodological challenges. Such challenges were encountered and, in many respects, overcome in a recent survey of more than 900 residents undertaken for the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). This survey helped underpin a broader review of care homes that reflected the OFT's concerns about the ‘potential for detriment’ in the position of residents as consumers of services.Notable are the ways in which an attempt was made to maximise the inclusion of people with cognitive impairments through the devising of what was regarded as an appropriate screening test that reflected the demands of the planned interviews. A discussion of the potential for using proxies (for those failing the screening test) points to their inability to fairly represent the views of cognitively impaired residents. Also explored is the way in which access was obtained to residents and issues concerning the gate‐keeping role of home owners and managers. Questions relating to the associated rights of residents and third party interests are touched upon.
Intermediate care for older people: Using action research to develop reflective nursing practice in a rehabilitation setting
Authors: Walker Gill , Poland Fiona
Published: September 2011

The importance of developing intermediate care options for older people is gaining increasing prominence in the UK with the promotion of new health and social care partnerships. Consequent changes in practice and values are demanded from staff. An action research approach provides a process of generating information linked to dialogues which facilitate such changes. This article draws on a case study of nursing staff working with older people in a newly‐defined rehabilitation setting in a Welsh community hospital. The action research cycle reported, focused on a series of collaborative interventions aimed at bringing about such changes in thinking and practice from a ‘doing for’ to an ‘enabling’ rehabilitative style of nursing. Three questionnaires and a round of group interviews were successively undertaken with a group of 49 staff, with planning and discussion sessions taking place between each data collection round. The process highlighted differing assumptions between different grades of nursing staff and between nurses and therapists about the nature of the rehabilitative process and how far it could be integrated with nursing care. The article discusses how the action research process supported a shared change in perspective that progress needed to be made to work in an integrated rehabilitative way. Participative approaches, such as action research, should be drawn on if the positive and cost‐effective benefits of rehabilitation for older people are to be more actively realised.