influence
publications
for professionals and consumers
Counsel and Care has produced a wide range of accessible publications aimed at older people, professionals and policy-makers. Some of the topics we have covered recently include the future of care for older people, choosing, paying for and living in a care home; and better support for carers of older people.
To order any of our publications, please complete the publications order form. It can then be posted to us at: Counsel and Care, Twyman House, 16 Bonny Street, London, NW1 9PG. If you wish to order by telephone, please call us on our dedicated order line for publications and factsheets: 020 7241 8522.
For All Ages
24 September 2008
Counsel and Care and national children's charity, 4Children, have joined forces to launch a new report, For All Ages. With the Office for National Statistics reporting that the number of over 65s has overtaken those under 16 for the first time in the UK, the report calls for a new approach to improve connections and build mutual understanding between the generations.
Care Contradictions 2008: putting people first?
2 September 2008
With cost of care ever-increasing, Counsel and Care's new survey shows how without urgent action, only the few will have person-centred care in old age.
Care Contradictions 2008
Click here to read the full press release about the report.
Ascertaining Wishes: a good practice guide - advance care planning for care homes for older people
11 June 2008
This handy-sized guide, Ascertaining Wishes, provides advice on good practice to staff from care homes for older people in England and Wales on how to introduce advance care planning in their home.
Please order your copies using our publications order form available at the top of this page or through our publications orderline on 020 7241 8522.
The full press release can be read here.
This guide has been published following a research project undertaken by Lancaster University with Counsel and Care, funded by the Nuffield Foundation and care home provider Friends of the Elderly. See full details of the project in the 'Advance Care Planning' report available to download below.
Advance Care Planning report
6 May 2008
This first survey of Advance Care Planning practice in English care homes was funded by the Nuffield Foundation and undertaken by Counsel and Care, Lancaster University and the University of the West of England.
This report is the culmination of a programme of study which aimed to describe current Advancing Care Planning practice in care homes for older people; the extent to which this was currently undertaken, how this was done and to highlight good practice already in use within the sector in order to develop a good practice guide (due to be published shortly).
VotingAge: a manifesto for older people - a discussion paper
22 April 2008
Our VotingAge project aims to produce a Manifesto for older people to present to the three main political parties. Funded by Comic Relief, this work aims to gather the knowledge, ideas and aspirations of older people, and to find out from them at first hand what they need and want to live better lives.
VotingAge will consult older people through regional events around the country and the views of older people unable to attend the events will be gathered through responses to this discussion document. It poses questions on the key areas highlighted by the Leadership Group. The resulting Manifesto for older people will be used to influence political parties in the lead up to the General Election.
Delivering A Sure Start to Later Life: exploring new models of neighbourhood services for older people
27 February 2008
Our new report, Delivering A Sure Start to Later Life explores new models of neighbourhood services for older people. Funded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, it discusses ways in which local neighbourhoods can be developed to benefit all generations.
With its publication, Counsel and Care calls for a parallel agenda for adults that looks at how we achieve positive outcomes for all older and disabled people and their carers.
Your care home - is it up to standard?
17 January 2008
Care homes should be exactly what they say they are - both caring and homely. 'Your care home - is it up to standard?' is a user-friendly guide for older people and
their families on the standards they have a right to expect when living in a care home.
Please order your copies using our publications order form available at the top of this page or through our publications orderline on 020 7241 8522.
A Charter for Change
3 January 2008
'A Charter for Change' report provides a radical new framework for social care which government must adopt to meet 'care funding gap'.
Informal and private care is plugging a funding gap of £25k for every disabled person over the age of 65 in Britain today.
Counsel and Care is calling for 2008 to be the year of the care debate and urges Government to adopt its radical new framework.
A new strategy for carers: better support for families and carers of older people
30 October 2007
'A new strategy for carers' states that better support and recognition of carers of older people, and particularly older carers, are crucial to the proposed reform of social care.
The lastest in Counsel and Care's series of policy discussion papers sets out recommendations for the Prime Minister's review of the 1999 strategy for carers.
Included in the recommendations are that Government:
- addresses the needs of different types of carers, and recognises their diversity
- reforms the benefit system for carers
- increases Carer's Allowance
- treats carers as equals in the delivery of health and social care services
- makes it easier for carers to work by promoting the right to request flexible working and extending tax exemptions for care vouchers.
Stephen Burke, Chief Executive of Counsel and Care, said:
"Carers save the country more than the NHS budget alone. ... All carers, including older carers, need to be better supported and empowered so they have a say in shaping services for them and the people they care for."
Click here to read our press release.
A New Strategy for Carers
Not Only Bingo
17 October 2007
'Not only Bingo' gives guidance to occupational therapists, activity organisers, and policy makers on the importance of offering a wide range of social activities in the care home environment.
It has been updated from the original publication by Sally Knocker, Director of Communications for the National Association of Providers of Activities (NAPA), and Dr Eric Midwinter, chair of the Centre for Policy on Ageing, has provided a new foreword.
Please order your copies using our publications order form available at the top of this page or through our publications orderline on 020 7241 8522.
A new appetite for life
17 October 2007
'A New Appetite for Life' is a new policy and practice report that looks at good practice around food and mealtimes in care homes.
Written by Mike George and Linda Lennard, with a foreword from Baroness Sally Greengross, Chief Executive of the International Longevity Centre UK, the report sets out the importance of food and nutrition for care home residents.
Please order your copies using our publications order form available at the top of this page or through our publications orderline on 020 7241 8522.
Brief and Complete Direct Payments Guides for people over 65
13 September 2007
Counsel and Care has published two step-by-step guides to using direct payments for older people, their families and carers.
They were developed as part of the 'Keeping Control' project, which involved direct consultation with older people.
Please order your copies using our publications order form available at the top of this page or through our publications orderline on 020 7241 8522.
Caring for loved ones in old age
3 September 2007
Counsel and Care together with Lawpack Publishing has published a new book on everything you need to know about 'care in old age'.
Caring for loved ones in old age provides individuals, families and communities with help, guidance and assistance in caring for elderly loved ones.
It is available from good bookshops including Waterstones, Borders, Foyles, Books etc. It can be purchased on the Amazon website and through Lawpack.
The full press release can be read here.
Care contradictions: higher charges and fewer services 2007
4 July 2007
Counsel and Care's annual survey of local authorities shows an ever-tightening squeeze in eligibility criteria and increasing costs for older people needing care and support.
To read the full press release about the report, please click here.
Meaningful and effective involvement of older people: a guide for care, health and housing agencies
5 March 2007
This publication gives guidance to professionals about how to effectively involve older people in the development of services.
The guide costs £15. Please order your copy using our publications order form available at the top of this page.
Real Choice, Real Voice:Older People in Control
24 January 2007
The Government is missing out on substantial savings in health and care bills and older people are not getting the care and support they want because care services are not changing fast enough, according to a new paper from Counsel and Care. The verdict comes one year on from the publication of the Government's White Paper. Our health, our care, our say, and its A sure start to later life report.
Real choice, real voice: older people in control looks at how care services can be reshaped to deliver the goals of the health and social care White Paper Our health, our care, our say. The smarter commissioning of advice, advocacy and information, early intervention, Individual Budgets and Direct Payments, and telecare, the paper argues, are key to delivering the original Independence, well-being and choice vision set out by the Government. This is the second in a series of three policy discussion papers published by Counsel and Care.
Closing the Care Gap
8 January 2007
Closing the Care Gap: getting better care and support for older people
“Older people face major problems getting the care and support they need in Britain today. They, along with their families and carers, struggle day in day out to live independently, or to pay the high cost of care home fees.”
This new policy paper from Counsel and Care exposes the Care Gap – the difference between what older people need and what care and support is actually available. With our ageing population, urgent action is needed to stop the Care Gap widening.
Fit for the Future: a new vision for older people's care and support
31 October 2006
The Fit for the Future report sets out a range of practical measures that Government can implement in its 2007 spending review and calls for a national debate on a long-term strategy for better care and support for older people and how it is fairly funded. The debate should shape a public consensus about how the cost of care for older people is fairly shared between the state and individuals. The forthcoming spending review provides a once in a lifetime opportunity to tackle underfunding and create quality care and support that is comprehensive, fair and affordable and offers better value for money.
The first report in a series from Counsel and Care focussing on current policy issues, Fit for the Future sets out a bold vision for how older people's care and support should look in 10 to 20 years time. It examines the barriers which exist which could disrupt progress, and suggests new and innovative policy solutions which will allow those people in old age to experience independence, wellbeing and choice.
Care contradictions: higher charges and fewer services
21 September 2006
Counsel and Care's survey of local authorities shows that eligibility criteria for home care services have been tightened in a third of local authorities in the last year.
To read the full press release about the report, please click here.
Advice Leaflet
4 September 2006
Our latest advice leaflet outlining a summary of our advice services.
Single Assessment Process Research Project
1 November 2005
Counsel and Care's 2005 survey into the implementation of the Single Assessment Process for older people in the
33 London Boroughs.
The Brief Care Home Guide
1 January 2004
A straightforward introduction to the care home system, that gives guidance on choosing a home, paying for care and living in a care home.
The Complete Care Home Guide
1 January 2004
The definitive guide to the care home system, used by older people, their families and carers, as well as academics and solicitors.
The Complete Care Home Guide: benefits and allowances insert 2008-09
Care and Support in Very Sheltered Housing
1 January 2003
Gives the perceptions of tenants living in four different very sheltered or 'extra care' housing schemes, judged against appropriate regulations and standards.
Housing Decisions in Old Age: Briefings 1-4
1 January 2003
A four part digest of the preliminary findings from a project supported by the Community Fund on older people’s decisions about their housing.
Sex and Relationships: a guide for care homes
1 January 2002
A good practice guide on respecting the rights of older people to a private life in a care home setting, whilst protecting vulnerable residents.
Showing Restraint: challenging the use of restraint in care homes
1 January 2002
A detailed exploration of the issues around the use of restraint in care homes, and its wider implications.
Residents taking risks, minimizing the use of restraint: a guide for care homes
1 January 2001
A guide for care home staff on the process of dealing with the risks that arise for residents; and reviewing how those risks are responded to.
-
6 Oct 2008
Counsel and Care has today welcomed the appointment of Phil Hope as Minister of State for Care Services.
(more...) -
1 Oct 2008
Full of Life – UK Older People's Day 2008: Counsel and Care celebrates longevity . (more...) -
24 Sep 2008
New report calls for new 'intergenerational' centres to bridge the young and old divide'. (more...)
