HEALTH CARE

Improving Care for Older People in Scotland

Improving Care for Older People in Scotland

Introduction

Healthcare is one of the important needs for older people in all over the world, as well as in United Kingdom. It is a right of older people to receive equitable, efficient, timely, person centred, effective and safe care. Moreover, the desires of the patient concerning health facilities must be considered (Health Foundation, 2011a, p. 5). However, in the current scenario, improving care for rapidly ageing population is the biggest challenge to the government and other care provider sectors. the partnership working is essential, in order to provide high quality healthcare to every older person.

In provision of care to older people, the health care providers, as well as the patients have to encounter certain challenges and issues. This pepper will specifically focus on care improvement for older people with and without long-term health conditions. Moreover, it focuses on the ways through which the choices of older people and independence can be promoted taking into account inter-professional and organisational challenges. These issues require effective interventions to fulfil the demand of patient's safely. In this regard, this essay highlights the professional and collaborative issues surrounding care improvement and analyses intervention strategies used to improve well being of elderly population.

Discussion

According to the report provided by the Scottish Executive (2007); in 2031, the number of people in their 50s and above will elevate by 28% and those with age of 75 and above will increase by 75% (p. 3). Currently, the number of people with dementia is 800,000 in the UK, which is expected to increase by 2040. As a result, there is a high probability of increase in associated health costs (Department of Health, 2013). The provision of quality and safe care is the primary purpose of a health care organisation for the elderly population. Quality improvement does not have a customised meaning or best measure to work. However, it can be understood as a systematic approach that uses specific techniques to improve quality (Health Foundation, 2011b, p. 3). The sustainability of quality depends on the ways to implement the change. The introduction of key factors such as good leadership, staff training and engagement, along with the multidisciplinary approach is vital (Health Foundation, 2013, p. 11).

It is obvious that older people are assets and blessings to the country. They also have right to receive a good quality of care, in order to live and experience quality life. However, with projected demographic changes, there is a high possibility that the large number of people with age of 60 years or more will be the users of health services in 2033 (JIT, 2014). This shows 50% percent increase concerning the demand of services from health care system. Therefore, one of the biggest challenges for government is to fulfil the need for changes and care improvement.

Interpersonal Issues

Interpersonal working indicates the good mental health of individual. Anxiety and depressions result from the maladaptive interpersonal ...