Caroline Bernard and Anna Passingham
There is growing evidence that local authorities are providing care only to those people who are deemed to be the most critically in need, while many people are being forced to…
Abstract
There is growing evidence that local authorities are providing care only to those people who are deemed to be the most critically in need, while many people are being forced to rely on informal care at home because they cannot afford their local authority charges. Caroline Bernard and Anna Passingham examine the background to the challenges around care charging, but say that the gap between those who need care services but are unable to access them, must be bridged.
The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the Achieving Age Equality Toolkit, to give the background to its development, and to advise readers of the ways in which it has…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the Achieving Age Equality Toolkit, to give the background to its development, and to advise readers of the ways in which it has already been successful in the health and social care arena.
Design/methodology/approach
The subject of this paper is the ban on age discrimination in goods and services that came into force on 1 October 2012. The objectives of the paper are achieved by setting out the policy context, and by detailing how the age equality recommendations were made through an independent review.
Findings
Older people have different experiences of health and social care services, but most want to be able to access support when they need it. Age as a barrier to treatment and screening in areas such as mental health and cancer continue to give cause for concern. Organisations need to ensure they are working in an “age equal” way across services.
Research limitations/implications
Implications for further research could include an assessment of the extent of “institutional ageism” in services after the ban on age discrimination in goods and services on 1 October 2012.
Practical implications
The article illustrates through case studies how use of the toolkit enables one organisation to better identify where changes are needed towards embedding anti age discrimination practice.
Social implications
As well as obeying legal requirements, ending age discrimination in health and social care requires a change in hearts and minds towards encouraging society to think differently about the ways in which older people are supported by health and social care services.
Originality/value
Since the review, there have been repeated cases of age discrimination in goods and services, illustrating the need for change.