Advocacy in Residential Long-term Care for Older People

Ireland

Goals: describe the main goals of the good practice

Taking action to help older people in residential care say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need.

 

Target Group: describe on which group the good practice is targeted (for instance, older people themselves, care providers, family etc.)

- older people

- advocacy

- care professionals

- volunteer organisations

 

Approach: describe the way in which the good practice is implemented.

The provision of education and training to members of the public, who volunteer to act as advocates for older people in residential long-term care

Who implements this good practice? Mention, if relevant, the organisation or persons who do the work.

National Advocacy Programme Alliance (NAPA),

Health Service Executive

 

 

What material is available on this good practice (description, website etc.)

Description:

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/ysys/SUI/NAPA/

Website :

http://www.myhomefromhome.ie/

 

How widely is this good practice used in your country?

In the process of being roled out nationally.

What are the results, outcomes, experiences with this good practice? Please mention the source(s).

- end of 2010, 133 Volunteer Advocates were trained and providing a volunteer advocacy service in 67 residential units/homes.

- 118 staff in eight residential units/homes have been trained in ‘Personal Excellence’ values training on compassion and dignity in care

-  web site www.myhomefromhome.ie provides information on 295 residential units/homes.

-  Policies and procedures for the Advocacy Programme have been put in place through a National Advocacy Programme Handbook and a Volunteer Advocate Policy.

Source

Are there effect studies? Please mention the source(s) if the answer is ‘yes’.

Evaluation

 

What are the success factors?

Older people in residential long-term care have access to an advocate who can assist them speak up or speak up for them where they have concerns

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