Health is fundamental to quality of life. Older people have substantial and complex healthcare needs which require the full range of services listed below.
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‘It was useful to have access to a physiotherapist or occupational therapist when I needed it to help me with my mobility to enable me to be independent and keep my confidence.’
Ensuring adequate healthcare services
There is considerable evidence that older people in care homes are not receiving the healthcare services that are their right. Some are paying for services that should be provided under the NHS. Primary Care Organisations should review their provision to ensure that residents have access under the NHS to all services, including:
- a General Practitioner;
- specialist medical services;
- specialist nursing care;
- physiotherapy;
- occupational therapy;
- speech and language therapy;
- chiropody;
- all screening services; and
- regular medication reviews.
Some areas have developed such services for care homes, including new roles, and there is potential to enhance professional rehabilitative input to care homes by developing intermediate care initiatives.
Health promotion
Health can be promoted by spending time in personally meaningful and enjoyable ways, socialising and sharing, physical activity and exercise, and learning.
Resources on this theme
Improving health and healthcare (PDF, 87k)
Issue 5 Care Home Staff Bulletin: Improving health and healthcare(PDF, 635k)
Improving health and healthcare poster (PDF, 239k)
This document contains a short summary of a research review undertaken as part of the My Home Life programme. The full literature review, including research references, further tools and examples of ‘best practice’, is available in Resources.
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