Free Personal Care for Older People in Scotland: Issues and Implications

Citation

Bowes A & Bell D (2007) Free Personal Care for Older People in Scotland: Issues and Implications. Social Policy and Society, 6 (3), pp. 435-445. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1474746407003740

Abstract
Drawing on recent quantitative and qualitative research, we consider lessons of the Scottish policy of free personal care for older people. The policy is embedded in political debates about devolution and interacts with various changing policies on care and support for older people. Evaluation is complicated by these interactions and by gaps in relevant data, especially concerning costs. Operationally, policy implementation has presented varying difficulties for local authorities. For clients and informal carers it remains popular, but is part of a service-led model of provision which does not reflect their own views of their care and support needs.

Keywords
; Quality of life Scotland; Old age homes Scotland; Aged Institutional care Scotland; Older people Institutional care Scotland; Older people Long-term care Scotland

Journal
Social Policy and Society: Volume 6, Issue 3

People

Professor Alison Bowes

Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences