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... People today are living longer as the age structure is fundamentally changing. ... 9 million people aged over sixty-five years. From these figures 266,000 were said to be living in Northern Ireland and in 2001 there was approximately 8,100 people living over the age of one hundred in the UK as a whole (Age Concern, 2004). Old age is a process in which the majority of us will experience throughout our lives. Many people and organisations within the community socially define old age by retirement which is currently at the age of sixty-five. Today old age is considered as being ．normal・ in which older people should not be prescribed as being a problem. This fact is in some way supported by the Stationary Office who state that ： there is now a clear opportunity to see old age for what it is, a stage of life were we have the gift of time to be able to acquire knowledge and experience for which there may not have been time through working lives. In this age of opportunity, while physical capabilities or mental facilities may change, people should not necessarily be assumed to be passive recipients of the goodwill of others or inevitably incapacitated, befuddled or redundant；(Stationary Office, 1991) In 2001 in the UK nineteen per cent of men and thirty-five per cent of women aged between sixty-five to seventy-four lived alone. ... These statistics reveal that the likelihood of living alone increases with age, which can effect the old with feelings of isolation, loneliness and exclusion from the mainstream. ...
The main aim throughout this research document is to analyse the perceptions and attitudes of older people regarding social workers and the impact on their quality of life. To obtain information on all aspects of the primary aim I created five objectives, which will allow me to gain an understanding of the role social workers play regarding the clientele of older people and the policy that supports them. At first I will identify key pieces of legislation, which aim to enable older people within society to gain as much independence as possible. Then I feel the importance to establish the role that social services play in the lives of older people. I am also going to assess how experienced social workers contribute to the welfare of older people regarding physical-comfort and well being. Finally I will obtain information from older people concerning the role of their social workers and the services that are provided to them. ... Chapter one is a background chapter which will summarise the development of Community Care policy for older people and assess the main aims and recent developments in recent policy. At this point the role of social work will be considered and attention will be drawn to issues regarding Community Care services provided to older people which improves their quality of life. ... This section states what is perceived by older people regarding their social worker and the role social services plays in their lives. Chapter four is the discussion of results and at this point the attitudes and opinions are expressed by older people, which are now discussed in relation to the policy that aims to support the old in the community. Chapter five is the concluding points of the research in relation to what future policy aims to achieve, the improvements that need to be overcome in relation to welfare services and the effects insufficient service standards have on older people and their quality of life. Overall within society today the numbers of old people have greatly increased alongside the demands for social services. Older people are one of the most needy groups in areas of care and they need the role of social work in order to help maintain their quality of life. ... Many older people rely on the services provided by social workers especially if they are living alone. As many older people fear death there is a huge majority who have experienced death from many close family or friends. This may provide feelings of isolation and loneliness in which services provided by social services may make things better for certain people. As the social workers role aims to provide equality to all human life and provide a more normal life to the old, in dealing with this there are certain skills required. ... In light of recent demographic trends, such as the ageing population, older people, disabled people and children are the main users of health services, with older people and children accounting for sixty percent of health care expenditure (Baggott. ... As times have been rapidly changing due to the many amendments in government party・s and pieces of legislation, Community Care came onto the agenda which gave people better rights and the opportunity to live in their own homes. ... Griffith・s Community Care Reforms (1988) aimed to look at the management in health and social care and also caring needs in relation to older people. He set out three main principles, which at first was to provide the right services at the appropriate time to all people in need. ... The final proposal was that all people should have the right to be cared for in their own homes or in homely settings. ... However when Major took over he outlined some of Griffith・s recommendations by the publishing of a White Paper ．Caring for People・.
Caring for People was published in 1989 and outlined the role of social services when dealing with Community Care. It emphasised the importance to move older people out of institutions such as hospitals or residential homes enabling them to be cared for in their own homes. This paper stated that older people should live a normal life, that they should be provided with care to fulfil their independence and should be given the opportunity to participate in decision making about their own lives. Caring For People stated five key components this being that care should be to ．provide services that respond flexibility and sensitivity・. ... The outcome of ．Caring for People・ led to the 1990 National Health Service and Community Care Act, which has had the most significant impact on Community Care for older people.
From the 1980・s there has been an abundance of legislation implemented enabling older people to live in their own homes and provided with necessary support that they require. ...
Following the White Paper the 1990 NHS and Community Care Act was implemented which defined community care as a means of ：providing services and support to people who are affected by problems of ageing, mental illness, mental handicap or physical or sensory disability and those who need to live independently in their own homes or in homely settings within the community； (HMSO, 1989). ...
The 1990・s saw great improvements in policy provisions for older people. In 1996 the NHS and Community Care (Direct Payments) Act was introduced, which in the year 2000 extended the rights of older people. ... At this point a National Framework for older people was established which tried to diminish age discrimination, insisting that older people should make choices about their care, that care should be created with respect and dignity ensuring older peoples health and independence is promoted. ... Through assessment processes older people should be assessed on what can improve their quality of living rather than the need to qualify for services. Along with the 1996 Direct Payment Act, the 1999 Health Act was also created and tended to have an impact on the lives of older people. This Act allows primary Trusts to use direct payments from older people and in return high quality care is to be provided. Older people were also to be provided with choice in their lives irrespective of ．gender, personal appearance, communication, diet, race, culture, religious and spiritual beliefs・. Also in 1999 there was a Human Rights Act established which raised many issues for older people. This Act was valued on the basis of privacy and communication, presenting old people the right to live in their home with respect and dignity.
In 1997 a Royal Commission was set up by the Secretary of State for Health, to examine the short and long term options of funding care for old people in their own homes and other settings. ... Today as many people are living longer social services play an important role in the lives of older people. In society many people are dependent on social workers in order to assist with their needs and to help them live more independently in their own homes. ... Older people are said to be disadvantaged as they ：have to meet caring costs themselves and social service departments are unable to provide support services to the level that is required； (Harding, 1997) Although social care provided to the old is based on the assumption that all older people have the right to remain independent and to keep their individuality. ... In the more recent survey, results revealed that many people had become more aware of social workers and refereed to them as ．child protectors・. ... Recently social workers are seen as ：useless incompetents who can・t stop abuse even when it is going on right in front of them, or they are no better than the stasi, the old east German police； (Guardian, 2001). ... Social Work is important in society as many older people rely on the profession to enable them to live within the community according to Community Care policy.
Older people have supported the introduction of Community Care policy as living within the community tends to be less stigmatising than being placed away in institutions. The different services provided by social services gives older people the opportunity of equality to live like others and gives them their independence and individuality. Older people are provided with domiciliary services, which consists of activity both inside and outside the home. ... Socially these events allow older people to perform in society and also to communicate with other people. This may overall benefit many of the old especially those who live alone which may enhance both physical and mental capability. ...
Many people have a stereotypical view of the old in which Bulter provides us with six images describing old people as ：unproductive, inflexible, and or who will become forgetful, confused and inattentive； (Bulter, 1969). Fear of death, increased physical incapability, vulnerability and poverty are also said to become the expectation of old age (Bulter, 1969). These expectations of the old provide difficulties to social workers whilst carry out an assessment of need as many of the identity・s can be hidden. Many social workers may then place negative attitudes towards the old as ．an elderly person has fewer years and does not have a big effect on an old person going into an old people・s home as it is does on a child going into a children・s home・ (Social Work With Elderly People, 1981). ... Brearley (1975) refers to older people as ．slow・, ．difficult・ and ．limited・. ... This view by the DHSS supports the notion that the ：NHS has treated older people badly； (Charles Webster, 1991). ... I was able to develop an interest in and learn more about the many different groups in need, the services that are available to those groups and also the different professionals that older people come into contact with. One issue that I was particularly interested in was the area of social work and the role played by social workers in supporting and enabling older people to remain in their own homes. As well as acknowledging the role of social work I have also become aware of the many different views older people have towards social workers. ... I felt that this factor was important as it is the government that determine what people are entitled to and also that it was interesting to see how the role of social services has developed. A Literature study focusing mainly on health and social care issues was conducted including literature relating to attitude studies and old people・s reliance on social services. ... The idea is to keep people in their own homes. ... One also attended the day hospital although as well as experiencing the effects of old age she had a mild disability. ...
Client A ：they allow me to see people outside the home and take care of my well-being；
Client B ： The services help me live more independently, allow me to socialise outside and give me transport to these centres. But I do think there is a complication in care plans which could improve my personal care；
Client C ： I think the services are good to all areas of my health but in many cases I have been left out in daily care；
Client D ： they help me live more independently and as the girls light my fire I could not do this myself；
Client E ： they allow me to meet other people in the community, giving me opportunities I never thought I would have；
Client F ： I can make my own choices about what I need and my care which gives me my own independence；
Client G ：The services I receive help me live in my own home with everything I need in my daily living；
Client H ： I think that the best thing is allowing me the chance to go out and meet other people who experience similar circumstances.
Approximate Word count = 10657
Approximate Pages = 42.6
(250 words per page double spaced)
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