Impact of Direct Payments on Older People

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

Table of contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

CHAPTER 02: LITERATURE REVIEW5

Direct Payment5

Direct payment program5

Beneficiary of budgets7

History of Social Services to Older people in UK7

Legislation for Direct Payments8

Early Forms of Social Service Payment & Eligibility Criteria9

Community Care Act10

The Independent Living Movement (ILM)11

Self-Help13

Conclusion15

Recommendations15

REFERENCES18

CHAPTER 02: LITERATURE REVIEW

Domestic work is contracted by private citizens using money earned by them. In contrast, Direct payments is a somewhat specific measure which results from lobbying efforts by the older people to change the national government policy so that they can avail social care benefits. The direct payment policy is designed in such a way that it provides alternatives to other forms of social service which the intention of offering greater control and choice to people receiving social care payments.

Direct Payment

Direct payments are those cash payments that are made in place of the provision for social services to individuals who are eligible for welfare services. These payments can only be received by such individuals who themselves want to receive this type of payment instead of the service arranged for them by the Social Services Department. Furthermore, the payments will only be made if the Council thinks that the claimants can manage the funds with or without assistance. The eligibility criteria for receiving the payment are, in need of help because of illness or old age, or mental health problem. The person who applies for Social Service benefits will have an assessment by the Social Services Department to check if the person is really in need and is eligible to receive direct payment (Noonan, 2004, 311).

Direct payment program

A system of direct payment allows people who are considered after evaluation in need of home care (that is to say, older people) to receive their own personal budget (Personage burden budget) to tailor their care for their needs. The care provided by spouses and partners have been supported by the budget staff. There are some contradictions between the user and the professional on the definition of quality of care. Therefore, the debate must increasingly take into account values and personal aspects of care. Nurse's neighbourhood associations, home care and private organizations legally required to meet certain quality criteria so that this does not apply to persons employed to assist. However, the quality valued by the beneficiary of a personal budget can be difficult to use a compulsory service or business (Cheal, 2008, 65).

The introduction of personal budgets can have a significant impact on the long-term situation of providers and care organizations. Personal budgets are favoured by users and their supporters as well as voluntary ...