Statement 5

Question 1

Statement 5

Answer 1

‘An evaluation of voluntary providers delivering care for older service users’

Question 2

Who are Voluntary Providers?

Answer 2

The voluntary sector refers to organisations whose primary purpose is to create a social impact rather than profit. The services are usually free and some organisations have a particular focus, eg MS Society, Dementia UK. A wide range of organisations within the voluntary sector offer valuable support to older people.

Question 3

Examples of Voluntary
Providers that Deliver Care and Support in Northern Ireland for Older Service Users

Answer 3

Question 4

How Voluntary Providers Support Older People in Northern Ireland

Answer 4

Answer 5

Question 6

Advantages of Voluntary Providers Delivering Care for Older Service Users

Answer 6

1. Voluntary providers usually respond rapidly to an older individual’s request for care and support. Voluntary providers can set up and provide support services quickly when they are contacted as there is less paperwork. This means that they are likely to be able to assess the individuals needs and quickly respond to their request for help and support. This is important for older people as early intervention and support can avoid the person’s condition and situation deteriorating or reaching a crisis point when hospitalisation may be necessary.
2. Services from voluntary providers are usually free of charge or have a nominal cost. For older
   service users this means they can access services for example, transport to the setting may be free, meals and snacks may be provided, they can enjoy hobbies and activities or pay for therapeutic activities to improve their health and well-being, which they otherwise may not be able to afford. This means that older service users who have a low income, on a pension, have limited savings or are on benefits will be able to access these services and do not have to worry about the cost. This can aid emotional well-being minimising the older person’s stress and anxiety levels.
3. Voluntary providers may provide valuable opportunities for older service users to get support and services that are not available from the statutory sector. For example, older service users may have opportunities to go on social outings, develop hobbies and take part in other activities. All of these services and experiences could help improve an older person’s health and well- being as they offer opportunities for motivation, stimulation, health enhancing benefits and social contacts. These are all important to help an older person feel valued and part of the community.
4. Voluntary providers are easy to access as older people can refer themselves and not depend on a professional such as a GP or social work to refer them. This means that an older service user may get the help and support when they are most in need.
5. Voluntary providers are often staffed by volunteers who have a genuine interest, have
   specialist knowledge and may have personal experience of the problems that can be encountered by older service users. Voluntary providers can be very sympathetic and have a good understanding of the individual’s condition and their needs and often go the extra mile to help. This means that the older service user receives care and support that is often more personal and tailored to their individual needs.
6. Voluntary providers usually provide local support for older service users. For example, Age NI provide day centres and residential care in Northern Ireland. This means easier access for service users and they get the care they need in their own community and do not have to travel long distances to meet others in a similar situation. This enables the older service user to have social contact with others including staff, volunteers and peers which is vital for their health and well- being.
7. Voluntary providers are quite flexible and can adjust services at short notice to meet the specific needs of an older service user. Once contacted the voluntary provider can put services in place to assist the individual immediately preventing an escalation in their condition. They also have less need to rigorously check if the older service user is entitled to access services provided as is the case in the statutory sector.
8. Voluntary providers lobby and campaign to raise awareness of the needs of older service users, e.g. Age NI. This can lead to the government changing legislation or influencing policy decisions which can improve experiences and standard of care and treatment for older service users, ensuring their specific needs are being fully met within a meaningful timescale.

Question 7

Disadvantages of Voluntary Providers Delivering Care for Older Service Users

Answer 7

1. All staff and volunteers working for voluntary providers may not always be trained or only
   have limited training, and this may be a problem particularly when dealing with individuals with complex mental illnesses, e.g. Dementia. They may not pick up on key indicators of illness or a deterioration in the individual’s health that trained staff in the statutory sector may pick up on and so fail to take the appropriate action to ensure the older person is supported or procure the necessary help to avoid a crisis.
2. Services provided by voluntary providers may be unreliable or inconsistent. This may be due
   to funding difficulties, staffing difficulties or short-term contracts. A service may be available to a service user one year but not the next, e.g. respite care. As a result of this an older service user may feel let down by the voluntary provider and loose trust in them. It may also leave them feeling abandoned and increase their vulnerability.
3. Older service users may feel stigmatised or labelled by others if they were to use a voluntary
   provider. They may not take up the opportunities available to them to use the voluntary providers services as they are reluctant to accept help from people they don’t know and cannot cope with the embarrassment. Another reason why they would decline the services of the voluntary provider is that they do not wish to accept charity because of pride and the impact it would have on their self-esteem.
4. There may be a lack of accountability in some voluntary providers because they are subject to less scrutiny (e.g. RQIA inspections) than services provided by the statutory sector. This may mean that services may not be properly managed or delivered correctly resulting in a service users specific care plan not being fully implemented. This may mean an older service user may not have their needs met or receive the quality care they need to manage their condition. This may lead to an escalation in their condition.
5. The provision of services by voluntar providers may be ‘patchwork’ and this means the service may be available in some areas of Northern Ireland but not others. There may be more services for older people in towns and cities. Those who live in more rural areas may not have access to support from voluntary providers or may find that they must travel if they want to use services provided. For some this may be too difficult if they do not drive and have to rely on family member or others for transport. In addition, transport services may be poor where they live and they may find it too difficult to travel independently. This may leave them more vulnerable and at risk without the support they need.
6. Older service users who receive services from voluntary providers can be more at risk of bad practice and abuse. Voluntary providers may not be as closely monitored and regulated as services provided by the statutory sector and so bad practice or abuse could go undetected for some time. Older service users may also be less likely to report bad practice or abuse as they may have communication difficulties due to their illness or feel they will not be believed and so suffer in silence. All of this could cause an older person’s mental health to deteriorate and lead to their conditions worsening leading to premature death.