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Research & Campaigning
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Our advice and information services place Counsel & Care in a strong position to develop a responsive research and dissemination programme, resulting in high profile reports and conferences. We have joined in partnership with Lancaster University's Department of Applied Social Science to explore one of the key policy issues of the present: the housing and care of older people. Housing Decisions in Old Age is looking at how people make their decisions about where they want to live in later life and the type of accommodation they would prefer. The project will also aim to map out the various housing pathways currently available.
A separate Department of Health funded two-year study is looking at quality of care and support in very sheltered housing from tenants' and providers' perspectives. If you wish to obtain more information on either of these studies, please email Liz Brooks.
Counsel and Care campaigns for improved services and greater recognition of the needs of older people. We have recently launched a Digging for Health campaign to encourage older people to continue gardening, or even to take it up for the first time, believing that the over-powering interest it provides in the open air helps older people to live longer and healthier lives. Click here to find out more about the campaign.
Free long term care for elderly people: the debate rumbles on
Counsel and Care has consistently backed the findings of the Royal Commission on Long Term Care (February 1999), in particular the recommendation that both personal care and nursing care should be provided free to all elderly people.
The BBC programme on 20 February, asking viewers to vote on their top priority for the NHS delivered a resounding verdict, with the number of people voting for this topic exceeding the votes cast for the other four 'top' priorities added together.
This vote shows the widespread concern for some of our society's most frail and vulnerable people and offers government the clearest possible indication of the future direction for public policy in this key area.
"Running an advice service for older people and their carers we speak to many people who remain confused and anxious because of the present system," said Les Bright, Deputy Chief Executive.
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