Publications from ODSW Social Insights: Letters by DSW (Vol 2) | Page 57

Working with Various Client Groups

Dear Social Service Practitioners,
Start with how older people want to live
A common theme among students and practitioners about service delivery
is how to better integrate services from the client’s perspective. Many would
like to see better integration of services, and even more so, to see integration
begin early in the planning of services. Some would also advocate that
it is time to have ways in which clients, including older people and their
family carers, are listened to. This can lead to making adjustments to the
types of services they require and use, and how they are delivered. Such
discussions can lead to a better coordination and integration of services
that are structured in a more holistic approach in order to meet the often
complex needs of some families and older people. What then are some of
the challenges to achieving integrated services, especially with those that
involve both the health and welfare systems which can be logged in their
funding and legislative base? Are there lessons that we can learn as we
begin to unpick the complexities of integration at the practice, managerial,
systemic and political levels?

The principles behind integrated services or care
for vulnerable persons
Let’s begin by taking a closer look at services for older people. And what
better way than to draw on the 1991 UN Principles for Older People 1
which states the principles for working with elderly. The principles include
independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment and dignity. They were
designed to empower those working with older people and to help
practitioners convey to the elderly that they are accountable for the way
in which services are delivered. How does this translate into practice in
the planning and delivery of services and the service experience for older
people? For older people, the integration of acute and community services
results in a less traumatic experience when the two separate segments are
better aligned.
Certain practices have shown to be helpful in improving the productivity
and outcomes in older people’s health and care. Firstly, get in early to offer
help to promote healthy living. Secondly, invest in alternatives to acute
1

United Nations. (1991, 16 Dec). 46/91. Implementation of the International Plan of Action
on Ageing and related activities. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/46/
a46r091.htm
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