Description
Book SynopsisDirect payments have been available to older people receiving community care services in the UK since February 2000. However, scepticism remains about older people's desire and ability to use direct payments and take-up so far has been low. Drawing on interviews with older people, local authority care managers and direct payments support service workers, this topical report looks at how older people use direct payments and how they make them work. It considers the role of direct payments support services and local authority care managers in making direct payments a real option for older people. The report is particularly valuable in reflecting the views and experiences of older people themselves.
Trade Review"... a well-balanced and interesting piece of research." SPA News
Table of ContentsContents: Executive summary; Introduction; Policy context; The research; Discovering and choosing direct payments; Using direct payments to employ personal assistants; Using direct payments to purchase agency services; Restrictions and flexibility in the use of direct payments; Managing the money; Meeting the administrative and financial demands; Value of direct payments to older people; The age divide; Independent living; The care managers' perspectives; The importance of support services in making direct payments work for older people; Funding of support services; Conclusions.
