Adult social care today - Essay Example

ADULT SOCIAL CARE TODAY Introduction Changing perspective in social services is emphasizing the need to develop programs that consider the social care as an integral factor in any health program. Beyond the treatment of diseases and promoting general health, the focus has evolved into one that considers quality of life as paramount. Quality of life is considered to go beyond health care to include social and personal development of individuals (Bouguet, 2002). Together with the changing perspectives in health is the recognition of changes in demographics, social trends and challenges. Among the major factors that are seen to change the landscape of societies today are migration, technology and globalization of commerce. Aside from their direct effects on health and social care, their effects on society itself is creating a superfluous effect making the field significantly more sensitive (Catty et al, 2005). Thus, the industry is challenged not only to be highly sensitive to the developments in society but also to be able to anticipate the changes and act proactively in response to them long before the developments actually become apparent. This is a challenge that can daunt any industry however, technology is allowing greater realization of this objective and greater awareness is creating an essential support base for the projects (Democratic Health Network, 2006). The reevaluation of social programs started in the late 1980's as industry realized that significant changes that have developed since the inception of social programs post-World War II (Davies, 1986). According to Manfredi and Maioni, these services should also have the support of legislation and the judiciary. The response has been in favor of developing better social programs particularly those for the elderly. Consequently, it has also created greater civil accountability for health and social services to meet standards and needs of people. A comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of adult social problems that include their diagnoses, treatment and rehabilitation is a knowledge base that is essential for the field. Current trends in social care have indicated that adult social care professionals are dealing more with community conditions than individual conditions more than ever before. This may be an indication that though advances in health that have allowed better detection of illnesses but it has yet been able to address other social concerns. Regardless of whether the increasing trend is caused by institutional or professional setbacks, the reality is greater demand for adult social care is the most compelling and urgent in the social services industry today. Adult Social Care Needs According to Leatherman (2001), indicators of healthcare are changing to accommodate not only changing needs but also raising standard levels. One of the major new components that new programs are highlighting is those that emphasize resocialization and personal development. As more researches reflect the critical importance of social settings and personal relationships in promoting the effectivity of programs, many countries are investing research and resources for these programs. To understand the importance of adult social care today, it is essential to first understand the scenarios that are prevalent today. The changing lifestyle of the elderly versus their contemporaries as early as ten years ago is so dissimilar that most health standards now need to be updated significantly. Advances in medical science has allowed them greater mobility an opportunities however this has also significantly stressed services particularly in countries with a growing concentration of elderly citizens such as Europe and North America. This has stressed not only services, resources and manpower for geriatric care programs. Trends Most populations today are more sensitive to world demographic trends mainly because of the pace by which globalization are taking place. In 2001, the United Nations thorough several of it health and development channels had released new standards and objectives that are aiming to assess health requirements for patients, institutions and professionals. The objective is to be able to better reflect demographical and social developments that health care industries have to deal with today. Also, they believe that there is need for an international project that identifies the key priorities of development on a global scale (United Nations Population Division [UNPD], 2000). Particular focus has been given to the manpower because health and social workers to recognize these trends and to respond accordingly. Major concerns in recent years regarding the migration of health care professionals form third world countries to Europe and America and the increasing stress of keeping pace with technology (Blank, 2004). The cultural, professional and technical divides that have been earlier feared have eased as there has been no apparent significant difficulty in the new professional to the industries (Cohen et al, 2006). Consequently, social work and health industries have been able to make good use of the cultural background diversity that can be tapped to address the growing multicultural societies due to with the complement trend in global migration. As health and social needs continue to become in demand and stresses of keeping up to date with technology and professional development increases, many institutions need to raise substantial capital to respond. These developments all have been raising the costs of health care and are seen as indicative of the professional crisis and the drain on the health professionals in economically challenged countries (UNPD, 2002). To augment these problems, the UK has stressed the need for private and community groups to improve the situation of more senior citizens. Challenges As studies emphasize the continued activeness of the elderly and how it can contribute to their longevity and health of elderly, there has been a significant initiative to increase their activeness on a personal and community level (Linda et al, 2004). The motivation is for the elderly to be able to enjoy the longevity that is afforded them by new developments in medical science to the fullest. At the same time however, there has been some concern that many elderly are not just working in their seniority as part of fulfilling themselves but to be able to survive (Williams, 1993). Many consider their pensions as insufficient to maintain quality of life standards and some experts believe that the continued social care crises worldwide will further increase problems for senior citizens. This denies them the opportunity to enjoy their later years and then may lead to their deterioration despite other developments to the contrary (Srensen and Pinquart, 2000). Among the popularized programs that have initiated by the Unite Kingdom's National Health Service beginning in 2004 include community exercise programs that are centered on the theory that continued physical activeness can enhance the overall all health (Norfolk County Council, 2006). Since there are very few facilities that can meet demands for physical health, there have been greater initiatives in developing home or community based programs (Masi et al, 2003). Physical activities or programs also are serving as the platform for other therapies. They are serving as the host for other programs designed for the age groups that also aim to enhance their life and the effectiveness of their medications and treatments that they would have otherwise avoided (Garland et al, 2002). One of the most difficult issues that have to be addresses by social services for the elderly involves their marginalization and diminished access to social institutions. Socialization is an undeniable factor that has to be full considered in increasing the commitment of patients to rehabilitation, care and their life itself. The motivation for patients is extended from himself to include associations and thus increasing his will to believe and maintain social contacts (Lothian, 2001). In their study Hertz and Anschutz (2002) point out that socialization is also essential to the emotional health that is necessary for the elderly to maintain a positive outlook in this stage of their life. Thus, individuals that are able to maintain healthy emotional states are afforded greater opportunity to cope with the stresses and challenges of growing old. The challenge for social programs is to be able to assess emotional health. It is undeniable that emotional health is difficult to directly address but because of its crucial role, it has to be focused on by programs through direct therapy methods or indirectly by through other programs like physical and social activities. Emotional states can be improved by improving physical conditions and improving levels of socialization can enhance emotional health through relationships (Williams & Garland 2002). Researches have indicated that severities of mental conditions are closely correlated with the state of emotional health. Some of the programs that had considerable success are based on socialization programs, physical activities and intervention programs ("Caring for the Elderly", 2007). Since the age group becomes increasingly vulnerable to dementia, disassociation and depression, emotional health also increases in importance for health care providers. Through socialization programs, individuals are given the chance to share concerns and commiserate with others in their age group. Response to Social Care Needs Today, the perspectives of old age have effectively changed. Medical innovation, social developments locally and internationally and the evolving realities and perceptions about old age are changing (UNPD 2002). The quality of life of the elderly depends greatly on their access to the services that allow them the greatest potential for maintaining and enhancing their quality of life. In response, there has been initiative to bring the programs to the doorstep of individuals particularly those who have already developed problems that may preclude them from gaining access to social services (Blank, 2002). For programs to serve their purpose, they have to be able to respond according to the need of the people they are designed fro considering their needs and backgrounds (Lothian 2001). These programs are not just part of social care and development but also are an important indication of how society values its citizens. Current programs accordingly have recognized the growing range of health and medical services that have to channel through social workers. This has prompted many cities to focus on professional development. Though most focus remains on institutional development on the international level, communities and cities are set to create "localized" approach to adult social care (Norfolk County Council, 2006). Further distinctions in training and function of professionals has been done to specialize necessary skills delineating the professional sector as a distinct element of the industry separate form medical and health services. National Initiatives A developing role of professionals in the social care industry today has been in the development of out-patient care and support systems that aim to increase rehabilitation and treatment effectiveness. With more literature concluding the positive influence of community and family to patient recovery, nurses and doctors find themselves out in the field to provide information and insight to ordinary people to support related efforts. In a similar effort to update adult social care programs, the Australian Government Productivity Commission (2005), this emphasizes the need for the redevelopment of health care competencies not only in response to technical skills but to social and community needs as well. Health professionals' continuing education is one of the most urgent priority to keep at pace with technological and research developments. To mitigate the costs of professional development, the UK's NHS has sponsors interdisciplinary meetings among professionals to develop cross-professional development programs. The programs have the objective to provide the field a standard by which to appraise models for continuing professional development not just to ensure quality service but also to afford career enrichment for professionals (Penning, 1995). Studies have indicated that most health professionals are given very little opportunity, motivation or alternatives for professional development which has limited the professional development and skills (Wade and Halligan, 2003). Social Service Industry Among the new skills that are being identified by the health and social services industry has considered paramount are those that involve community response, professional development and technological education. The NHS has revised social services programs to be bale to promote these objectives and have had support from all sectors of government as well ("All Lords debates on Adult Social Care", 2006). The efforts follow the initiatives of improving not just care services but also the overall quality of life standards for the elderly. Studies have shown that this population is becoming vulnerable both from personal and social issues that negate the programs set forth for them (Sheldon, 2000). This is not a new concept for the industry. As early as the 1990's, there has already been significant literature regarding the effectiveness of social programs in improving well-being (Penning, 1995). The problem is that thought her have been significant social programs, they still were centered or set in institutions. The constraint is that access is still limited particularly in areas or localities that are unable to maintain their own services and depend on national health and social services (Ormel et al, 1993). Weiller and his co-researchers (1996) early on expressed their concerns that this state serves little the objective of rehabilitating patients: a login that can be extend to presume that quality of life will also not be met. Social services studies have indicated that abuse, marginalization and disenfranchisement is a serious threat and that current approaches lack vital recognition of cultural, societal, psychological and emotional components to truly address the most urgent concerns (Dalal et al, 2004; Linda et al, 2004). Thus, social services do not have just the role of delivering traditional services but also have to be able to respond as social motivators to encourage recognition and empowerment of those receiving adult social care. Resnick and his associates (2002) believe that this positive social approach that is affected by social and community workers is one of the most essential in ensuring the well being of the elderly. Currently, there has been significant success in recognizing these challenges (Hedrick et al, 2003). As is, it is best seen in existing programs that utilize both community and technological approaches; social services are given better channels and are accesses closer to home for those who need it most. Among the locales that have had significant successfully national social services to their community are Devon, East Sussex and Norfolk. All three are maintaining a long standing web services to access adult social services as well as educational programs to orient the target population on how to utilize the services. Some of the major services that they provide include information, communication and home care service channels. There is significant evidence that this method of utilizing technology on community level by social service professionals is the most effective way of increasing their reach and access to those who need adult social care (Masi et al, 2003). This has also bee supported by studies that have indicated increased levels of health particularly for those who are receiving continuing therapy (McGuire-Snieckus et al, 2006). Conclusion There is no denying the important roles of adult social services have in ensuring the well being or the quality of life that adults, particularly the elderly, lead. Just as undeniable is the fact that societies today are changing at such a fast pace those programs easily loose their relevance. Thus, the kinds of services that professional are able to deliver increase in their importance since they can change faster and more cost-effectively than institutions. However, there should be recognition that social and health services professionals themselves are facing great challenges in their field. Continuing education, social and technological adoptions can not be accomplished without the support of government. Though there has been significant reforms done to respond to the developing needs in the social care industry by parliament as well as all other sectors, they have to be able to translate to better, fuller and safer lives for those receiving adult social care before they can be considered a success. To be able to fulfill the role that social services providers now area asked to fill in our communities, what is important is for them to maintain an open mind a willingness to learn about the changing needs for their services as well as for their profession. Significant effort has been done to create the sensitive and responsive social programs that are needed to truly respond to current society. But there is still much to be done and every little effort that can be done today can make a great difference. The concerted efforts in social research, medicine and social management are all essential in realizing these social service objectives. References All Lords debates on Adult Social Care (2006). [Online]. They Work for You. Available from [Accessed January 14, 2007] Australian Government Productivity Commission (2006). [Online]. Impacts of Advances in Medical Technology in Australia. Available from [Accessed January 14, 2007] Blank, R. (2002). 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Cochrane and J. Clarke. London: Sage. Read More