Development and preliminary testing of a framework for quantifying local service provision for people with dementia

Hughes, Jane; Ahmed, Saima; Clarkson, Paul; Davies, Sue; Stewart, Karen; Challis, David

Abstract

© 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited. Purpose: It was hypothesised that there were variations in health and social care services available for older people with dementia and their carers, and that measurement of this between localities was possible. The purpose of this paper is to present a framework for examining this. Design/methodology/approach: Using a case study approach, data from national surveys of local authorities providing social care and National Health Services Trusts providing old age mental health services conducted in 2014/2015 in England were used. From these, indicators of variation in services for people with dementia and their carers in different geographical areas were created. Measurement of the presence/absence of each service permitted the creation of a service mix score for each area. Findings: The framework comprised 16 attributes each with indicators describing the characteristics of the organisations providing the services; the skill mix of community mental health teams for older people; and the health care and social care services available in localities. Variation was evident, confirmed by quartile analysis and exemplars, suggesting that older people with dementia and their carers in different localities are likely to experience differences in the range of provision available, particularly social care services. Originality/value: The case study approach used achieved its objectives, and the resultant framework has potential for generalisability and utility, given acceptable ecological validity and discriminant validity in identifying variations in service mix. It could be used in both research and practice.

Citation

Hughes, J., Ahmed, S., Clarkson, P., Davies, S., Stewart, K., & Challis, D. (2020). Development and preliminary testing of a framework for quantifying local service provision for people with dementia. Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, 21(3), 193-202. https://doi.org/10.1108/QAOA-03-2020-0010

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 9, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Nov 23, 2020
• Publication Date: Nov 23, 2020
• Deposit Date: Oct 23, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 23, 2020
• Journal: Quality in Ageing and Older Adults
• Print ISSN: 1471-7794
• Electronic ISSN: 2042-8766
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 193-202
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/QAOA-03-2020-0010
• Keywords: Survey, Social care, Healthcare, Framework, Older people with mental health problems, Carers
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4985131
• Publisher URL: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/QAOA-03-2020-0010/full/html