Economic and demographic challenges for social care.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of reforms designed to address economic and demographic challenges in England with reference to the authors' own empirical work providing a critique of their impact and suggesting a way to improve the quality of social care for older people.


METHODS
The research was a qualitative study conducted in a participatory manner in which older people were positioned as co-creators of the research study. This involved setting the scope of the study and identifying and refining the themes used in the analysis of an inquiry board and interviews.


RESULTS
The research findings highlight the threat of recent moves that emphasise "independence" and "self-management" particularly as they risk marginalising some groups of older people and reducing the quality of care. An alternative approach drawn from the ethics of care is suggested.


CONCLUSIONS
The research study focused on a narrow selection of older people and future work will wish to explore concepts of "care" and "independence" in additional contexts and of reforms in other geographies.


CONCLUSIONS
The researchers argue that the current reform agenda threatens the quality of care services and suggest improvements to the way in which services might be organised and presented.


CONCLUSIONS
It is intended that the research will contribute to social policy debates and particularly those that focus on social care. The study also looks to contribute to current work in the fields of critical gerontology, feminist ethics and the management of public services more generally.


CONCLUSIONS
The paper presents a novel and critical viewpoint of current social care policy in England and will therefore be of interest to policy-makers and to professionals.
Will
W
Thomas
Sue
S
Hollinrake
D000368:Aged; D003710:Demography; D004739:England; D018166:Health Care Reform; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012648:Self Care; D012947:Social Work / Q000191:economics* / Q000941:ethics
Elderly care; Management; Managerialism; Social services