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Rhetoric and reality of daily life in English care homes: the role of organised activities

Rhetoric and reality of daily life in English care homes: the role of organised activities
Rhetoric and reality of daily life in English care homes: the role of organised activities
In divergent ways, both government policy and care home practices influence the everyday life of older people living in English care homes. The rhetoric of choice for care home residents may be in conflict with the reality of government policy-driven service delivery. The aim of the article is to examine the role of organised activities in facilitating choice and active ageing among care home residents. Findings from a study of ten care homes in South East England exemplify the conflict between government policy rhetoric and the reality of care home life. The indication is that the formality of the ‘‘activities of daily living’’ support procedures restricts residents’ involvement in the organised social activities.Within the general provision of services, the organised ‘‘social activities’’ offered failed to meet the interest, cognitive and physical abilities of residents. The reality of ‘‘choice’’ is therefore questionable. Policy needs to support a transformation in the delivery of care to ensure it addresses the actual needs and expectations of older people experiencing care home life.
1652-8670
Eyers, Ingrid
e3f44ca2-5e0c-480d-a708-64ac0eb8366e
Arber, Sara
b7f63a77-ae92-4970-9cf5-98d7118c41d1
Luff, Rebekah
b12da7ec-5b6b-4928-9993-c0228cf140b5
Young, Emma
be326601-41ae-4cb7-81ef-94d7d4b2d0e7
Ellmers, Theresa
27dfe49b-7471-4c65-8078-c28571855af9
Eyers, Ingrid
e3f44ca2-5e0c-480d-a708-64ac0eb8366e
Arber, Sara
b7f63a77-ae92-4970-9cf5-98d7118c41d1
Luff, Rebekah
b12da7ec-5b6b-4928-9993-c0228cf140b5
Young, Emma
be326601-41ae-4cb7-81ef-94d7d4b2d0e7
Ellmers, Theresa
27dfe49b-7471-4c65-8078-c28571855af9

Eyers, Ingrid, Arber, Sara, Luff, Rebekah, Young, Emma and Ellmers, Theresa (2012) Rhetoric and reality of daily life in English care homes: the role of organised activities. International Journal of Ageing and Later Life, 7 (1). (doi:10.3384/ijal.1652-8670.11132).

Record type: Article

Abstract

In divergent ways, both government policy and care home practices influence the everyday life of older people living in English care homes. The rhetoric of choice for care home residents may be in conflict with the reality of government policy-driven service delivery. The aim of the article is to examine the role of organised activities in facilitating choice and active ageing among care home residents. Findings from a study of ten care homes in South East England exemplify the conflict between government policy rhetoric and the reality of care home life. The indication is that the formality of the ‘‘activities of daily living’’ support procedures restricts residents’ involvement in the organised social activities.Within the general provision of services, the organised ‘‘social activities’’ offered failed to meet the interest, cognitive and physical abilities of residents. The reality of ‘‘choice’’ is therefore questionable. Policy needs to support a transformation in the delivery of care to ensure it addresses the actual needs and expectations of older people experiencing care home life.

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More information

Published date: 26 June 2012
Organisations: Social Sciences

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 341671
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/341671
ISSN: 1652-8670
PURE UUID: 38826b4a-1d5b-4c93-9e68-8e3002aa71c1
ORCID for Rebekah Luff: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-7871-0246

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Date deposited: 02 Aug 2012 10:49
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 11:42

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Contributors

Author: Ingrid Eyers
Author: Sara Arber
Author: Rebekah Luff ORCID iD
Author: Emma Young
Author: Theresa Ellmers

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