Publications from ODSW Social Insights: Letters by DSW (Vol 2) | Page 52

Working with Various Client Groups
coordinated. Yet another possibility is to have ways for integrated information
to be given to older people and their carers. Often for carers, information
and well integrated information can be an important way to empower them.
Starting with the end in mind, the integrated care that we want to create is
a well-planned and well organised set of services and care processes that
target at the multiple needs or problems of a client or patient. And for most
instances, these multiple needs are often complex needs.
What are some areas that the system should minimise in order to achieve
greater efficiency? These will include duplicated assessments, separate
and sometimes contradictory decisions by different agencies as well as
unnecessary delays. Carers (unpaid family, friends and neighbours) offer
the majority of support to older people and they too can help with better
integrated information if not services.
Poor communication and lack of co-ordination between different parts of
services, and across agencies can often result in stress for those who are
trying to support the older person. The lack of co-ordination which leads
to inefficient use of staff time and exacerbating inter-professional conflict
should be sufficient incentive for service providers to collaborate and make
better use of resources. Fragmented service delivery can result in bottlenecks
and gaps, which puts pressure on existing services and cause unnecessary
stress and anxiety for older people and their carers.

Allocation of Scarce Resources
Any service delivery system faces the constraints of public expenditure. And
the supply of services is constrained too by difficulties in recruiting staff and
changing market dynamics of public and private provisions even without the
complication of the interplay of insurance.
So while we re-examine service delivery models, service delivery modes and
system, the challenge remains for us to find new ways of focusing expenditure
on approaches that reduce the pressures on expensive services, make best
use of scarce resources and also improve the quality of life for older people.

Accessibility, Quality and Financial Sustainability
Integrated care for older people therefore aims to improve access and
provide a safe quality of service at a level that is financially sustainable.

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