Is This The ‘Ultimate Outcome’ for Personalised Services?

A Vision of Choice and Control on Vimeo.

This is the second of three videos produced by the DH Care Networks on the Personalisation Agenda to introduce key themes for social care transformation. Although the series is aimed primarily at local authorities, the narrative sets out the issues nicely and provides useful insight for providers and service users too – well worth watching – not least because it got me thinking about what people really will want from the transformation…

If it was possible to pin down the absolute ultimate outcome what would it be ?

What Does Everyone Want?

I found myself listening to Peter Gilroy’s contribution feeling enthusiastic about the agenda – specifically becasue of the way he points out that putting people first is about transforming the way we actually think about (all of) our lives and how people living into their 70s and beyond have different aspirations now than in the past.

If social care transformation is about embracing the way we want to live our lives today and in the future, it’s also about understanding the way society has changed. We all want and need to have a sense of purpose in our lives, whatever that means from an individual perspective.

I believe this is true regardless of age, disability, financial resources, cultural background. I only have to look at my partner’s 85 year old grandmother who has just moved into a nursing home. Despite illness and mobility problems, this change has given her a new direction and she is busy personalising her room, organising her time and quite literally directing her support… (as Nigel, my father in law will testify)

By looking at the biggest picture I feel there are vital clues for commissioners and providers who really aspire to part key players in local markets. There has to be an understanding of the emerging trends in the way people are living their lives. Like Peter Gilroy says on the video, (paraphrased) “people in their 60/70s want to be jumping out of planes…”

Although I’m sure he doesn’t mean it literally, it’s an interesting point. People between the ages of 60 and 70 today were young people during the sixties. If you’re going to be providing care and support services for older people in the next 5/10 – 20 years this generation is your target market. Keep this in mind and remember any service which helps people retain or find a renewed sense of purpose will always be in demand.

The other videos in the series are available here:

1. Transforming Adult Social Care
2. A Vision of Choice and Control (this page)
3. Leadership and Partnership